THE outgoing Mayor of Darlington has handed over £25,000 to his chosen charities.

Councillor Gerald Lee split the proceeds of his mayoral year between the Butterwick Hospice and the Phoenix House recovery centre at Catterick Garrison.

The cheques were handed over during a reception at Darlington Town Hall.

Cllr. Lee said he had been "immensely proud" to serve as Mayor and had been "humbled" to discover so much community spirit in the borough.

"We really are incredibly lucky to have so many wonderful people," he said.

Cllr Lee's fundraising activities included an evening at Carmel College with County Durham-born actor Mark Gatiss last autumn.

Darlington's new Mayor is Cllr Tom Nutt, whose reign will have an international theme because of his work with town twinning.