SINGING with Johnny Vegas, strutting around Victoria Square on high heels, battling with a giant robot and appearing on a prime time BBC Radio One show.

They are not necessarily the standard engagements of a Mayor of St Helens.

But then Councillor Andy Bowden, from Blackbrook, has not been afraid to do things differently during his year in the ambassadorial role.

Whether it has been to highlights a serious issue, such as donning the heels to highlight the battle against domestic violence, or sharing a mic with Vegas to promote the forthcoming Westfield Street Music Festival, Mayor Bowden’s enthusiasm has shone through.

The 49-year-old has been very much a modern day Mayor – reeling off hundreds of Tweets on the social media network Twitter that have highlighted the 500 plus engagements that he has so far attended.

In his words, his mission has been to show the “talent, passion, selflessness and determination” of the many brilliant organisations and teams across the borough.

Ahead of his mayoral year coming to a close, he told a meeting of full council at the town hall: “St Helens has so much to be proud of and I have tried to highlight that.” He spoke after glowing tributes were paid to the mayor and his wife Janice, the Mayoress of St Helens.

Councillors described how he had been dubbed the ‘Coolest Mayor in Christendom’ from local comedy and actor star Johnny Vegas when they teamed up for one of the many events during the year.

There were heartfelt votes of thanks for the way they connected with the very young to older residents who were all caught up with the enthusiasm and enjoyment.

The Saints Community Development Foundation has been Councillor Bowden’s mayoral charity.