TRAFFORD'S new mayor is wishing everyone in the borough a happy new Millennium - and hoping to cash in on his good will.

Cllr Ray Bowker, who will be first citizen at the turn of the century, has set himself an ambitious target of getting virtually everyone in the borough to make a Millennium wish.

He wants them to write their messages down in a special book he is setting up - and pay for the privilege.

And Cllr Bowker will then collect the cash and share it between his two pet charities for the year, Trafford Young Carers Project and Trafford Crossroads.

The Liberal Democrat councillor from Timperley will outline the plans when he launches his Mayoral Millennium Appeal at a high profile bash in the gardens of Trafford Town Hall tomorrow.

The mayors of all Greater Manchester's 10 boroughs will be there, along with TV personalities, local dignitaries and specially invited guests as Cllr Bowker sets out his strategy to ensure that the twin charities - both of which support needy young people in the borough - have their best year ever.

Copies of the wish book are to be placed in libraries, leisure centres and schools across Trafford for people to write down their thoughts and hopes for the future.

Everyone who makes a donation to the appeal will receive a certificate recording their wish and its page number in the book - which will be stored for all time in Trafford Town Hall when complete at the end of the year.

But that is only the beginning of the fund raising ideas, for Cllr Bowker says: "I have been lucky enough to be selected as the millennium mayor and I intend to try to make the most of it - and I am sure the people of Trafford will get behind this appeal as they always do."

Watch this space for details.

Meet the People's Mayor -turn to Page 10

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