A MAP of the borough, pain-stakingly stitched by hand, has been presented to the outgoing Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane to mark his time in office.

Councillor Martin Biermann, whose year-long term as the borough’s first citizen comes to an ended yesterday, received the specially-commissioned map from the Basingstoke branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild.

The framed map was intended to decorate the Mayor’s Parlour at the council’s Civic Offices, but Cllr Biermann said he now wants it to go on public display.

“I am almost lost for words,” said Cllr Biermann after the guild presented the finished product. “I can’t think of a nicer way to celebrate the artistic side of what is on offer in Basingstoke.

“I hope it does go on display – it would be a shame to have it so limited. I think having it in a public display area has got to be better.”

Branch chairman Rachel Haver said the idea was the result of a chance comment in 2012, when Cllr Biermann first visited the guild.

She said: “I think it was an off-the-cuff remark that Martin said it would be nice to make something for the parlour. I took him seriously.”

Guild member Jan Messent designed and stitched the base map and used Typhoo tea to dye the material. The Guild’s 15-strong team then set about photographing and stitching famous borough landmarks to the piece.

The map features 16 different landmarks and symbols, including a map of the Silchester Roman ruins, Whitchurch Silk Mill, a Loddon Lilly, Basing House and the Hampshire Rose.