DURING the past year, Hereford has been severely hit by the credit crunch, with shops and businesses under strain.

But Councillor Sylvia Daniels, who has been named as the new Mayor of Hereford, believes that the city can be put “at the top of the map”.

“If everybody works together closely then you can achieve something,” she said. “A lot of work does need to be done, as Hereford is now looking tired, but I would love to see people spending money in shops again. I want to reinvigorate it and keep it as the beautiful place it is and to put it at the top of the map.”

Coun Daniels has already officially opened Celebrating Independent Living, a selection of services in Herefordshire that are available for the disabled and the elderly.

The city flag was also flown over the Town Hall last week to mark her birthday, which is a long-held tradition.

Her chosen charities are the Noah Ark’s Trust and the Little Princess Trust and her consort is Geoffrey Daniels. The Deputy Mayor is Coun Anna Toon.

Coun Daniels, aged 61, was born in Lincolnshire and moved to Hereford in 1966. She worked as a chief matron for the police before being a court usher at Hereford Magistrates, then joining the NHS in 1979 in a clerical capacity. She has just retired after 30 years to concentrate on her mayoral year.

She was elected to Hereford City Council and Herefordshire Council in 2003.