COUNCILLORS will be saluting a different flag on Tuesday evening when they are asked to appoint Cllr David Flagg as next Mayor of Christchurch.

Cllr Flagg, who has represented the Burton and Winkton ward as a Conservative since 1999, is the only nomination to succeed current Mayor Cllr Josephine Spencer when her year of office ends at the annual council meeting in May.

A parish councillor in Burton where he and his wife Denise have lived for the past 27 years, Cllr Flagg, 51, is currently chairman of the borough council's scrutiny and licensing committees.

He will be the first mayor from Burton since former councillor Eddie Coope held the post in 1994.

Born in Ringwood, Cllr Flagg trained as a carpenter and joiner after leaving school but now runs his own health and safety practice and is also a director of a Highcliffe photo processing outlet managed by his son, Adrian.

On being nominated for Mayor, Cllr Flagg said: "I am honoured to be elected as Mayor and look forward to my year in office.

"I would convey my sincere thanks to the residents of Burton and Winkton for their continued support over the last nine years."

Cllr Flagg has yet to decide on the charities he would like to support during his year of office and is keen to hear from local causes which might benefit from his support.

He said: "There are so many charities in Christchurch who do good work and who may really be in need of funds. I would be delighted to find out about a number of deserving local causes before making my final decision."

Any Christchurch-based charities who would like to be considered as one of Cllr Flagg's mayoral charities should write to the Mayor's secretary, Hannah Gosling at the Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Christchurch BH23 1AZ or email mayorsoffice@christchurch.gov.uk.