Steve Holborough, whose boyhood ambition was to be mayor of Witney, has been chosen for the job he once dreamed of.

A former Witney market trader, Mr Holborough becomes the town's first Liberal Democrat mayor for 16 years -- although the post is largely a non-political one.

Born in Witney, Mr Holborough's family have been in west Oxfordshire for several centuries, and the 52-year-old's house at Moorland Road is on the site of his family's former home.

He said: "It's a great honour, it's something I've thought about since I was a small boy when I knew several former mayors of Witney. I used to say to my mum and grandmother I'd like to be mayor of Witney some day."

Now a driving instructor, Mr Holborough taught for 27 years at schools in Carterton, Faringdon and Swindon, and for a time worked as a trader in Market Square.

He said: "For a year I'm the figurehead of the town and I certainly will continue to support the mayor's tsunami appeal, although it will continue to be run by the last mayor, Peter Green, and the committee.

"I'm also going to be looking at what local charities I can support in some way, and I'd like people to involve me where I can be useful and help them to draw the community together.

"Although I'm a Liberal Democrat and I may be the first for a while, I don't see it as a political thing. It's my job to represent the 23,000 people of the town and my political colour takes a back seat in the role."

The 17-strong town council has traditionally been dominated by Conservatives, and the last Liberal Democrat mayor was Andrew Carter in 1989. Mr Holborough won the vote after one of the Conservatives, outgoing mayor Peter Green, left the Tory party to become an independent. All three independent councillors voting with the six Liberal Democrat councillors were enough to select Mr Holborough, so the eight Conservatives did not vote.

Liberal Democrat councillor David Nicholson said: "About six years ago, Steve was the only Liberal Democrat town councillor. In the 2003 elections, we gained a further six and now we have members on all committees. It's a sea change in the political life of Witney."

Chrissie Curry was chosen as deputy mayor. Mr Green, who started and continues to run the Village to Village tsunami appeal, said: "It's been an excellent year, I've met some wonderful people and I'm sure Steve will enjoy it just as much as I did."