A MARKET town’s youngest ever mayor is following in his great grandfather’s footsteps as he looks to bring political change to Shildon.

Labour councillor Matthew Burdess, 22, was appointed mayor for the coming year by Shildon Town Council.

In entering politics Cllr Burdess is following a family tradition as Bert Walker, his great granddad, was a Labour heavyweight in the town in the mid 20th century.

Cllr Burdess, of Byerley Road, in Shildon, who joined the town council two years ago, said: “I have enjoyed my time on the town council.

“It has not been easy with all of the funding cuts. I am just surprised that I was named deputy mayor last year and to become mayor now.

“I want to help people and to get the best for the people of Shildon.

“My great granddad is someone who I look up to and I am proud of him. I think that he wanted to help people really.

“I think he would be happy to see what I am doing now. It’s a great honour to follow in my great granddad’s steps.”

Matthew joined the town council via a by-election in 2013 in his first attempt at an election.

He quickly rose to be named as deputy leader of the authority and now he has stepped up to take the position of mayor.

He is already a long-term member of the Labour Party and he has set his sights on a seat on Durham County Council and on becoming an MP.

Cllr Burdess has already tried to win a seat on the county council.

At the last county authority elections he stood in Barnard Castle where he failed to win the seat as he only secured around 300 votes.

Mr Walker, 69, of Byerley Road, a British Rail clerk, died in 1966 after many years championing the people of Shildon.

Family tradition has it that he entered politics after he visited a woman with water running down the walls of her house and he was inspired to help her.

He held many roles including twice been chairman of the now defunct Shildon Urban District. He was also a county councillor and a governor at Timothy Hackworth Primary School, in Shildon.

Mr Walker also played a key role in pushing through plans to build the former Sunnydale Community College, in Shildon, but he died just weeks before it was finished.

Councillor Allan Walker, leader of the town council, said: “We are extremely proud that he has been elected Shildon mayor.

“Matthew is the youngest person to be elected to office of town mayor and is a dedicated town councillor working hard within the community.

“I know that he is proud to carry out his civic duties and represent the town throughout his year of office.”