NORTHUMBERLAND County Council’s new civic head has spoken of his excitement at taking on the new role.

Coun. Ian Hutchinson, who represents the Haltwhistle ward, was appointed to the position at full council on May 1, having served as deputy civic head last year.

Coun. Hutchinson’s deputy will be Coun. Eileen Armstrong, who represents the Ponteland East and Stannington ward.

The civic head represents the council in a ceremonial role at various events.

The position also allows a councillor to nominate a charity to raise money for.

Coun. Hutchinson said: “It’s a privilege. You’re representing the county at different events and functions, lots of things like that.

“It’s like being a mayor but without mayoral powers.

“The chairman of the council normally does it but the business chairman would have to do too much so the county made a civic head too.

“It’s an honour to be asked to do it and I’m chuffed to do it.”

Coun. Hutchinson has already represented the council at Bede Academy in Blyth and attended a dinner with the Territorial Army regiment in Gateshead.

But his new position also gives him the chance to raise money for causes close to his heart.

The outgoing civic head, Coun. Jeff Watson, was able to hand over a cheque for £16,409 to the Royal British Legion, which was his chosen charity for his year in office.

Coun. Hutchinson has chosen the Alzheimer’s Society and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation as his nominated charities.

The foundation was set up by the former Newcastle Falcons and Scotland rugby player, Doddie Weir, to aid research into motor neurone disease and support others with the condition.

He explained: “I know a lot of people who have suffered and still suffer from dementia and motor neurone disease.

“They’re dreadful, awful diseases. I can’t describe how bad they are so anything I can do I will.

“My father had dementia, it’s an awful thing to witness. People don’t know who you are or where they are. We’re aiming to raise somewhere in the teens of thousands.”