WOOTTON Bassett's next mayor will be no stranger to the job.

Percy Miles, 74, will be taking on the role for the third time when he takes over from the present mayor, Chris Wannell, in May.

At a meeting of the town council, Mr Miles,who at 74 is the oldest town councillor, was named the next mayor.

Heather Wannell, who is the daughter of the present mayor and the youngest town councillor at 35, will be his deputy.

Mr Miles was delighted to be given the chance to serve again.

"It's wonderful," he said.

And he believes he has a philosophy of life which will help the town with some of its difficulties. He said: "Everything can be resolved by talking. You just have to have patience."

He believes the biggest challenges during his year in office are likely to be the long-standing car parking problems and also the disruption to the High Street, which is likely when sewer renewal work starts again.

But as well as dealing with current difficulties as they arise, Mr Miles believes in taking a long-term view.

He said: "We have to look at what Wootton Bassett will be like in 25 or even 50 years."

When asked what he would wish for if there was a magic mayoral wand, he said: "We'd like a bypass for the town, but there's not much chance of that at the moment."

Mr Miles has been married to his wife Sally for 51 years. He spent 22 years in the army, mostly as a sergeant major.

When he returned to civvy street he worked as Swindon's homelessness officer.

He has been a member of Wootton Bassett town council since 1981.

Meanwhile an outbreak of political harmony in Swindon means an opposition councillor is set to become mayor next year.

When Mike Bawden steps down as council leader this year he will become mayor, but his deputy will be Labour councillor Michael Barnes.

Traditionally the deputy mayor goes on to take over the mayoral chains of office the following year.

The nomination of Coun Barnes (Lab, Western) was unopposed by Conservative councillors.

Coun Barnes said: "It is a great honour to be nominated by my Labour colleagues for this post and if agreed by the council my partner Sue and I look forward to the possibility of working with Michael Bawden, mayor elect, over the forthcoming year."

Coun Bawden agreed that the move could represent an outbreak of cross-party harmony. He said: "What we are looking for is more constructive dialogue between the Conservative administration and the Labour opposition.

"This is one of the things that underlines that point."

Coun Kevin Small, leader of the Labour group, said: "I was very pleased that the group decided to support Michael who I have worked with for many years in Western ward.

"I welcome the decision of the Conservative group to allow the Labour Party to put forward an unopposed nomination."

Coun Wendy Johnson, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: "It's very welcome to hear that Coun Bawden wants good relations with opposition parties."