Mayor not dead, just living in New Zealand

Berwick, England's most northern town and close to the Scottish Border. Photo / Getty Images

The mayor of Berwick says she is "mortified" after mistakenly holding a minute's silence to mark the death of a former mayor, only to find out he is still alive and well and living in New Zealand.

Hazel Battison, who is the Northumberland town's current mayor, told council members Bill Ferguson had died after apparently hearing of his death from two other former mayors, the Daily Mail reported.

However reports of Mr Ferguson's death had been greatly exaggerated, a member of the public informed Ms Battison.

"A worker in our office had been informed by someone who called and said that he wasn't dead and lived in New Zealand," she said.

"Shocked was an understatement when I found out. I couldn't believe it. I was totally mortified but it was all in good faith and it would have been a mark of respect if he had been dead. That is how we pay our respects if a member had died."

Ms Battison said she hoped Mr Ferguson would see the funny side of things.

"Bill was a good friend when he was here and a good councillor. I'm glad he's alive and I wish him well."

Ms Battison had tried to reach Mr Ferguson to apologise, but had not been able to find him.

"No one has a number for him. We tried to send a letter to his daughter in New Zealand but it was returned as it was not the right address."

The reference to the silence in memory of Mr Ferguson's death was removed from the minutes of the meeting. however the blunder was mentioned in the records of the next meeting.

Minutes of the council's November meeting show town councillor Georgina Hill announcing the fact Mr Ferguson had not died.

They state: "Councillor Hill mentioned the death of Councillor Ferguson, which was advised at the last meeting as being rather premature and that he was still actually alive and well."

- Daily Mail