PHIL Hayward, Didcot’s new mayor, is planning a sponsored walk around the town’s primary and secondary schools to raise funds for charities.

Mr Hayward, 63, who lives in Ouse Close on the Ladygrove estate, will embark on the walk to raise funds for his three chosen charities.

They are Diabetes UK, the Teenage Cancer Trust, and The Felix Fund, which supports injured bomb disposal troops, including 11 EOD Regiment at Vauxhall Barracks.

The father-of-two, who works at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory’s space science department, said: “During my year in office I want to link up with youth organisations in the town and visit all the schools.”

Mr Hayward was elected mayor at the Willowbrook Leisure Centre on May 16, and takes over from John Flood. Deputy mayor is Peter Read.

Mr Hayward moved to Didcot from Warrington 12 years ago and has been a town councillor for four years.

He added: “John Flood did a great job in his year as mayor so I have a hard act to follow. He has worked hard for the town for 25 years. Didcot is doing very well at the moment and I will try to promote it as best I can.

“I have already been to Meylan, Didcot’s twin town in France, and spoke French for the first time.”

Conservative Mr Hayward said he was looking forward to the reopening of the civic hall in Britwell Road in August after a £1.3m refit.