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The new Mayor of South Tyneside is Councillor John Gerard McCabe.

Councillor McCabe was presented with his chains of office by outgoing Mayor, Councillor Pat Hay, at the annual Mayor Making ceremony at South Shields Town Hall this week.

The new Mayor, Councillor McCabe will carry out his civic duties with his wife Julie by his side - the Mayoress.

The Mayor said: "It is a huge honour to become South Tyneside's new Mayor.

"Julie and I are incredibly proud to be representing the Borough and our fantastic communities and we will do everything we can to showcase and support all the wonderful facilities, organisations and charities that we have here in South Tyneside.

"The driving force in my life is to help people. My mother was a district nursing sister for over 40 years in the Hebburn and Jarrow area and my father was in the St Vincent de Paul society, and they would both be very proud to see me as Mayor.

"My brothers and sisters and I were also raised with the same work ethic - to help people, and that's my overriding job in South Tyneside.

"My main focus is to help eradicate poverty, especially in today's climate, and to make it a better world. I can't do that as an individual, but we can together as a team. Let's all improve things for our residents and our communities."

Born in Jesmond, Councillor McCabe, was raised in Hebburn, educated by the Order of Marist Brothers in Dumfries as well as studied at St Aloysius School and St Joseph's Grammar School.

Having previously served as a police officer for three and a half years with Durham Constabulary, Councillor McCabe also worked as a miner at Westoe Colliery, later progressing as a qualified mining engineer and advising in mine safety at collieries around the UK. He currently works in the taxi trade.

Councillor McCabe is also a former President of the North of England Mining and Mechanical Engineers based at Neville Hall, Newcastle. The world recognised society was founded in 1854 by eminent people such as Robert Stephenson to help make mining a safer environment. Councillor McCabe continues to serve on the North of England full council and is a professional member of the Institute of Mining Materials and Minerals.

Councillor McCabe has represented the Hebburn South ward on Â鶹ÊÓƵ since 2003. Other roles and responsibilities have included chairing the Council's People Select Committee and Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating and Call-in Committee.

Councillor McCabe also represents the Council on external organisations such as the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) Joint Scrutiny Committee, North East Region Joint Health Scrutiny Committee and South Tyneside Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education.

The Mayor has chosen two charities - South Tyneside food banks and Hospital Radio South Tyneside - as the main beneficiaries of the Mayor's Charity during his year in office.

Councillor Margaret Peacock was selected as the new Deputy Mayor and her friend Gladys Hobson as her Deputy Mayoress.

The Mayor Making ceremony and Annual Full Council can be viewed online at