Andrew Morgan is the Mayor of Bolton for the next 12 months following an inauguration at the town hall.

He assumed the role of First Citizen for the borough in front of a crowded council chamber on Wednesday.

Born in Leicester in 1966, Cllr Morgan became a councillor in 2002 a few years after he bought his business, Bakewells Care Home, on Junction Road.

It came after a career of around six years with the Armed Forces, in the Army Air Corps, and of around 10 years with British Aerospace in Saudi Arabia.

Nick Peel, the leader of the council, said: "Andrew became a councillor in 2002 for Hulton Ward. He remained until he was the victim of one of the most shocking results I have seen [in the 2014 election]. 

"He returned as a councillor for Heaton and Lostock Ward where he served his constituents with commitment."

Cllr Morgan has held a number of positions such as, when the Conservative Group was in power, cabinet member for adult services. 

He has held other positions on the GMCA Scrutiny Committee, the GMCA Health Scrutiny Committee and the Planning Committee.

The Bolton News: Andrew Morgan

Hilary Fairclough, the deputy leader of the Conservative Group, said: "Andrew is a people person and he will have the support of his mayoress. I know she will be, as always, the wind beneath his wings.

"He is a devoted family man, a hardworking businessman, an exceptional charity supporter and, importantly, a friend to many and to me."

The motion to appoint the Mayor of Bolton, as moved by Cllr Peel and Cllr Fairclough, was approved by a chorus of ayes by councillors.

He took the chains of office from Mohammed Ayub, who was the mayor for the past year, and is to be the deputy mayor for the next year.

Cllr Morgan said: "I want to express my gratitude to my family and friends who have supported me throughout this journey. 

"Truly it is a privilege to be an adopted Boltonian and the mayoress and I promise to serve you to the best of our abilities."

The mayor has his partner, Karen Holdsworth, as the mayoress. His charities are Bolton FM, Bolton Hospice, Bolton Wanderers in the Community and Darren Deady Foundation.

His inauguration is to be marked by a procession, which leaves Victoria Square at around 10.30am on Sunday, before a service at the Parish Church a short time afterwards.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.