RETIRED teacher and college lecturer Graham Francis has been selected as the next deputy mayor of Marlborough.

There were two nominations before the town council on Monday, and Liberal Democrat Coun Francis beat Tory Hilary Cripps by seven votes to five.

Before being formally elected as deputy mayor at the annual mayor- making ceremony in May, Coun Francis will be fighting the district and parish elections.

If he is re-elected and becomes mayor for 2004-2005, he will lead the celebrations in June 2004 to mark the 800th anniversary of the town receiving its royal charters from King John.

Coun Francis, who lives in Mildenhall, is the chairman of the 2004 Committee which is planning the celebrations, including a possible visit by the Prince of Wales.

Coun Francis moved to the Marlborough area in 1978.

He was formerly a teacher at Wootton Bassett School before becoming head of adult education at Swindon College.

He was previously county councillor for Ramsbury, and served as vice- chairman of the county education committee and chairman of the former transport and highways committee.

Coun Francis, who has served on the town council for four years, will be seeking re-election in the east ward and also seeking election as a district councillor.