The outgoing Mayor Councillor Trevor Lunn with the Mayoress Mrs. Laureen Lunn.

LISBURN'S outgoing Mayor has said he hopes the 'new spirit of goodwill and cooperation' which exists in Northern Ireland does not by-pass the city.

Alliance Councillor Trevor Lunn, who handed over his chain of office at the council's AGM on Thursday, said: "As a council we should lead the way, not follow"..

Mr. Lunn said President Mary McAleese had offered major encouragement on this front when she visited Lisburn on Monday. "She spoke eloquently of her hopes for Ireland North and South and it was good to see all parties represented at the special council meeting,' he added. "This was a unique event and a milestone for Lisburn." The Mayor also said he had tried to promote the theme of respect for other cultures and the ability to embrace diversity during his year in office.

"Lisburn is no different to other cities in having to absorb increasing numbers of immigrants," he continued.

"We should welcome them and learn from them - not feel threatened.

"I have done my best through the Mayor's office to reach out to all sections of our diverse society and in particular have visited a large number of our local churches of various denominations.

"We have been made welcome at every one of them."

The Mayor also looked back at two tragedies which occurred during his time in office.

"We lost Councillors Michael Ferguson and Stephen Moore to illness when both were in the prime of their lives," he said.

"The council united in an expression of sympathy in a way which gives me hope for the future as do developments at Stormont."

The outgoing Mayor thanked council staff for their hard work during his term of office.

He described the council as well run and said it offered a full range of services efficiently despite the city's rate being 'one of the lowest in Northern Ireland'.

He said it had been an honour to represent Lisburn as its First Citizen and added both he and his wife Laureen had enjoyed their duties which involved meeting so many people and organisations in Lisburn and beyond.

Mr. Lunn said his chosen charity for the year, the Parkinson's Disease Society, had enjoyed a successful 12 months

He offered it his congratulations and added: "We all hope the mystery of what causes this dreadful affliction will soon be solved.

The outgoing Mayor said these were' exciting times' for Lisburn as announcement, were awaited about major development at Sprucefield and Maze.

He said various hotel planning applications were in the pipeline and he wished all the applicants success.

"Castle Gardens is nearing completion and we will soon start work on Wallace Park. The Historic Quarter is progressing well and the new Lisburn Institute construction will be starting soon," he said.

"On behalf of myself and the Mayoress thank you to everyone for making our year such an enjoyable and personal experience. I wish the incoming Mayor every success."