A RIVAL candidate is being put forward to become the next mayor of Worcester.

We reported in yesterday’s Worcester News how current deputy mayor Councillor Keith Burton is departing from tradition and passing up the opportunity to become the city’s first citizen for personal reasons.

Coun David Tibbutt, cabinet member for urban renaissance, is the ruling Conservative Party’s preferred choice but Labour city councillors are putting forward their own candidate, Coun Roger Berry.

Labour group leader Coun Adrian Gregson said: “Roger is the last of a group of councillors who have been on the council for more than 30 years but who has not been rewarded by being given the city's highest civic honour.”

Coun Berry was deputy mayor in 1992 but never got to fulfil the main role because he lost his seat in that year’s local election.

A decision on who will succeed Coun Mike Layland, an independent, as mayor will be made at Tuesday’s city council meeting.