Deputy Mayor of St George’s, Quinell Francis, has announced that she will run for the top job in the upcoming corporation elections.

Ms Francis told The Royal Gazette she hoped to build on the progress that had already been made in the parish over the last couple of years.

She said she hoped to focus on improving the town’s infrastructure and promoting its unique historic and heritage if elected as Mayor.

“It’s time for a change and it’s time for a final decision to be made over what we should do with Town Cut,” Ms Francis added.

“We need to either accept that modifications need to be done so that a cruise ship can come in to St George’s, or accept that we are not getting a cruise ship.

“For my part I feel modifications are needed, but we need to make an informed decision based on all the facts.

“I hope to be able to bridge the gap between the business community, the residential community and the visitors.

“I believe we need to do more to promote our UNESCO heritage status and twinning links with Lyme Regis in the UK.

“It’s about bringing our history into modern times and building on the progress we have already made.”

Ms Francis joined the Corporation of St George as a councillor in 2011, and went on to become an alderman in 2012.

She became deputy mayor in 2013 under Mayor Garth Rothwell. The next council elections will take place on May 7, and under new Municipalities legislation there will be just one mayor and eight councillors in St George’s.

“I would be overwhelmed should I be chosen as the next mayor of St George’s,” said Ms Francis.

“I would be extremely thankful also to the people who had entrusted me with the honour.

“Most of all I would be ready to work for the town, its businesses and its people.

“The town’s infrastructure needs to be looked at and upgraded to a level fitting of a UNESCO heritage site.”