WINSFORD'S town mayor said it's a 'privilege' to work with her two chosen charities during her mayoral year.

Cllr Ailsa Gaskill-Jones announced Cotswold House, which provides living accommodation for homeless women, as one of her chosen charities of the year.

The Winsford branch of the Salvation Army is the mayor's second chosen charity, and throughout the year she will be fundraising for both causes.

"My themes for my mayoral year are Compassion and Wellbeing," Cllr Gaskill-Jones said.

"In selecting The Salvation Army and Cotswold House I have chosen organisations which I feel embody compassion, organisations which hold out their hand to others in their time of most need.

"It will be an absolute privilege to work with The Salvation Army and Cotswold House during my time as mayor and I am excited about the initiatives and events I have planned to raise money for these great causes."

Cotswold House, which is run by Weaver Vale Housing Trust, provides supported accommodation for homeless women aged 16 to 36 years.

Cotswold House can also accommodate women and children who have fallen on desperate times.

Cllr Gaskill-Jones, a mother and a midwife, said she has a number of events planned throughout her mayoral year that she hopes will give the charity some much-needed support.

She said: "I am extremely excited to be working the team at Cotswold House and about ways in which I can support them and raise awareness of the valuable work they do.

"I am also looking forward to involving the staff and residents in the many events and initiatives I have planned, in particular, wellbeing themed events. I am confident we are going to have a great year working together and can't wait to get started."

Angela Kandeh, service manager at Cotswold House, added: "We are delighted to be chosen as one of the mayors charities of the year.

"We have been delivering our service in the heart of the Winsford community for a number of years and are looking forward to raising the profile of our service with the support of the mayor and raising some valuable funds to enhance the lives of our young women and children."

Lieutenant Brian Ward from Winsford Salvation Army thanked Winsford's new mayor for pledging her support to the charity.

He said:'We are grateful for the Mayor's support of our work and ministry in Winsford.

"This year, The Salvation Army is celebrating its 150th year of working at the centre of every community, helping those who are most vulnerable or in need.

"We are grateful to the funds provided to our Winsford church to enable us to carry on this ministry, providing compassionate support, practical help and a warm welcome to our church.'