Mayor given new wardrobe

9:31am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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PORTLAND'S new mayor will be sporting a whole new look to go along with her mayoral robes.

Super slimming councillor Sandy West, who begins her term in office as Mayor of Portland tonight, has been given a complete new wardrobe by her bosses at Asda to wear to all her official engagements over the year.

Coun West, who has lost four-and-a-half stone over the last 12 months, has been allowed to select up to £500 worth of new clothing from the store's George clothing range.

Coun West, who works at the store as a golden greeter', said: "It's very important to look the part as mayor. Because of all the functions you always have to look your best and I was absolutely delighted with the offer - I thought it was an absolutely magnificent gesture.

"I think it's going to be a momentous year. As someone who wandered into Portland 41 years ago as an accidental tourist, I feel so proud to be able to represent the island.

"Julia's House and the Osprey Leisure Centre will be my charities for the year and Asda is also going to support those charities. All in all they have been brilliant."

Coun West, 59, said her bosses have been extremely supportive of her becoming mayor and have pledged to support her as she juggles her full-time position at the store with her civic duties.

Coun West said: "I told myself I wasn't dieting, I was just changing my eating habits. Obviously I feel a lot better now and it was a conscious effort to make myself look better."

"The more you look the part, the more confident you feel. I am absolutely delighted they are asking me to wear their clothes and they are doing everything they can to make my mayoral year run nice and smoothly."