SIR – Just over a year ago I was Mayor of Worcester and I worried whether the deputy Councillor Mike Layland would be well enough to take over.

Mike had undergone a couple of operations and though he was upbeat I was concerned that there were those who would be quick to criticise if he couldn’t meet the demands of the role.

I should not have been concerned – his year as mayor is coming to an end and he and his wife June have been a resounding success.

They have represented the city handsomely and with the help of the local news media brought attention to people and organisations which make Worcester a better place.

My congratulations go the mayor and mayoress on their year in office.

I would like them to know that last May when my year as mayor was coming to an end a Worcester News journalist made an observation about Mike taking over.

He said: “He’ll be fine, you two are cut from the same cloth.”

For me that was quite a compliment.

COUNCILLOR ANDY ROBERTS
Worcester