THE new mayor of Ross-on-Wye is hoping that his day job won't prove too much of a conflict in his new role. But, as owner of the town's Chasedale Hotel, Nigel Gibbs has already found that business may get in the way.

"Sadly I have already had to decline an invitation to visit our twin town of Betzdorf in Germany at the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, but we are sending a representative who will present a gift on my behalf," says Mr Gibbs, who was deputy mayor last year.

The mayor's nominated charities for his year in office are the Macmillan Nurses Appeal and Diabetes UK. "My father-in-law succumbed to diabetes last year and Diabetes UK is a charity that is especially close to my wife's heart," says Mr Gibbs.

In addition to next spring's Mayor's Ball, Mr Gibbs is also hoping to organise a charity golf tournament in the new year.

It is likely to be a varied 12 months.

"The day after my appointment I attended a coffee morning in aid of a horse rescue charity and spent the evening with the sea cadets," he said.