THE mayor of Northwich has swapped his supermarket day job for life in a care home.

Residents at Redwalls nursing home in Weaverham Road, Sandiway, were thrilled when Cllr Kevin Rimmer opened their summer fete earlier this year.

But they were even more delighted to welcome him back – without his chains of office this time – when he arrived to start work last week as a senior support worker.

Cllr Rimmer, 52, said it was his official visit to the home in September that gave him the idea of swapping his customer deliveries role at Waitrose for a totally fresh challenge.

He said: “I was struck by the lovely homely feel of Redwalls. I have visited quite a few nursing homes in my capacity as mayor and it is not always like that.

“I have always been a really good people person and caring is something I have always wanted to give a go.

“I did not want to get to the end of my working life with regrets and I was excited when I discovered the manager Julie (Sheridan) was recruiting.”

Cllr Rimmer said his experiences as a single parent, looking after two teenage children following the death of his wife Stella, had increased his resolve to change career paths.

He will now work towards an NVQ3 qualification in health and social care.

He said: "They have given me such a lovely welcome. They say, ‘you’re not going to leave, are you?’.

“I certainly have no intention of leaving. A week into this I know it is the perfect fit and this will be my last job.”