TWO towns will be rolling out the red carpet today for mayor-making ceremonies.

This evening at the Eastleigh Civic Offices Councillor Roger Smith will be slipping into the mayoral robes to begin his civic reign.

Southampton-born Cllr Smith has for more than 40 years run his own hairdressing business in Bishopstoke. He also started an antiques business in the shop next door and divides his time between the two.

He was first elected to the borough council, serving Fair Oak and Horton Heath, from 1991 until 1995, and then since 2002.

Cllr Smith is married with two daughters and two grandchildren. His wife Sheila will be the mayoress.

Earlier today Councillor Katrina Trott was due to be sworn in as Fareham's first citizen. Cllr Trott and her husband, Peter, who will be the mayor's consort, have lived in Fareham since 1970. The couple have two sons.

Teaching mainly in Fareham secondary schools, Katrina retired in 2003, the same year that Peter retired from the Royal Navy after 38 years' service. They are both proud of their strong links with HMS Collingwood.

The new mayor was first elected as a Fareham councillor in 2002 and has served on the housing review panel, the planning and transportation review panel and the standards committee.