BRADFORD has appointed its first Green Lord Mayor, and he will be joined in his civic year by a Green Deputy Mayor.

The appointment of two Green Councillors to the ceremonial roles comes after the party doubled the number of Councillors it has in Bradford following this month’s local elections.

At the annual meeting of Bradford Council this morning the chains of office were passed from outgoing Mayor Shabir Hussain (Lab, Manningham) to Councillor Martin Love (Green, Shipley).

Councillor Love has represented the Shipley ward for over 20 years.

The title of Lord Mayor is a ceremonial one. The Lord Mayor and Mayoress are the “first citizens” of Bradford, attending major events and fundraisers as well as representing the city on a wider stage.

Cllr Love’s wife Helen will be Lady Mayoress.

Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe praised Cllr Love, saying she was looking forward to working closer with him during his mayoral year.

She pointed out the new Mayor, a keen runner, had also appeared on TV game show The Krypton Factor when he was younger.

Cllr Hinchcliffe joked that she was jealous of Cllr Love’s name, saying: “When it comes to election time I have to fit Hinchcliffe on a poster. Martin can just put Vote Love. There is no better call to action.

“Now more than ever we need a bit more Love in the District.”

Cllr Love, who has lived in Shipley all his life except for a few years at University, said: “It is a humbling experience to have such support, particularly from the community you have grown up in.”

Discussing his chosen charity for the year, Cllr Love said: “I wanted to choose a good cause that was local to our District – the neo natal team run by the Bradford Hospitals Charity.”

Based at BRI, the team are aiming to raise £3m to improve facilities form premature and sick babies and their families.

A die hard Bradford City fan, Cllr Love said: “I hope my Mayoral year will coincide with a promotion for Bradford City.

“This was something I mentioned to Mark Hughes recently. He said he’d do his best.”

New Deputy Mayor Matt Edwards only gained his Tong seat in last year’s local elections.

Fellow Shipley Green Councillor Kevin Warnes said of Cllr Edwards: “Despite his youthful appearance he is a seasoned campaigner and activist, and is as passionate as anyone in the District.”