A SLICE of history was created when Councillor Polly Andrews was installed as the new Mayor of Hereford.

It was the first time in 623 years that the position of Hereford's mayor has gone from one woman to another, with Coun Andrews taking over from Councillor Ursula Attfield.

Councillor Marcelle Lloyd-Hayes has become deputy mayor.

The three are among 15 women out of 58 councillors on Herefordshire Council.

"Since records began 623 ago there have been only eight female mayors in Hereford City," said Coun Lloyd-Hayes. "In 1995 there were three female councillors on the city council, now there are double that number."

Louise Luard was the first female Mayor of Hereford City in 1929. She was the widow of an officer killed in the First World War.

Coun Lloyd-Hayes will be hitting the road in a lorry next month for her last Humanitarian Aid visit to Bosnia.

She has been fundraising for the Mothers of Srebencia, near Sarajevo, for the past 10 years but her trip on June 1 will be her last due to her increasing commitments.