A WORKER has been awarded a new honorary title as he leaves for pastures new.

Hexham Community Partnership operations manager, Jez Light, was awarded the Honorary Steward and Bailiff Award at the Hexham Town Council's Honorary Steward and Bailiff Award night on Tuesday, March 26.

The award "celebrates those special people who work hard to make the town a safer, more vibrant and happier place to live."

Speaking about the award, Jez said: "It was both a surprise and an honour to be made Honorary Steward and Bailiff of Hexham.

"I see it as a tribute to all the hard work put in by the team at Hexham Community Partnership, our partners and all of the volunteers that help make the town tick.

"I absolutely love this place and all the people who make it special and will look back with great fondness on the time I’ve spent working here.

"I’ll be taking everything I’ve learned from Hexham and applying it when I take up my new role as Festivals, Events and Cultural Engagement Manager for Durham County Council.

"In the meantime, I’m keen to find out what special powers come with this award."