She will be installed at the council’s annual AGM, taking place this evening (2 June).

Cllr Gilmour has said: “It’s a great honour and an absolute privilege to have been appointed as Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, even more so to be serving alongside Leah in the first ever all-female mayoral team in the borough’s history.

“As a mother of two teenage sons, I’m an ardent advocate for the rights and representation young people in our society. We must do all we can to empower the next generation, and I’m determined to help provide every young person all the support they need to thrive, lead, and shape their futures, promote opportunities, and ensure their voices are heard at every level.

“One of the greatest joys of taking up this office is getting the chance to travel right across the borough, meeting the people who make our area what it is, and witnessing first-hand the crucial work they do every day. I’m so excited to get out there into the community, using this platform to be a voice for everyone who lives here and helping build a more inclusive society.”