AS THE incoming mayor and deputy mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillors Brian Gurden and Phil Heath would have expected to have their hands full over the coming year.

However, as well as getting to grips with the demands and duties of their civic roles, the two men are also getting used to being granddads.

Just two weeks after donning the ceremonial chains of office, mayor Cllr Gurden and deputy mayor Cllr Heath became granddads for the first time within half-an-hour of each other.

The two men were celebrating the births of their first grandchildren just 14 days after starting their year in office.

Brimming with pride, both granddads are relishing their new roles and are looking forward to showing off the new arrivals at future events.

Cllr Gurden’s daughter-in-law Li Fu, who is married to his son Daniel, gave birth to daughter Niya at 4.55am on May 28 at Basingstoke hospital.

Just 25 minutes later and just down the corridor, Cllr Heath’s daughter Catherine gave birth to son James, with partner Chris Ginn by her side.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Gurden, who represents Brighton Hill North on the borough council, said: “It’s an astonishing coincidence. Phil and I did have a little bit of banter about who would bec-ome a granddad first, so I edged that, but we never expected them to be born on the same day.

“At the moment, I am very busy with my duties as mayor so I don’t feel I am finding enough time for being a granddad, but as our babysitting duties increase, I am sure Niya will join us at events where I can show her off.

“Some people say becoming a grandparent makes you feel older but my wife and I feel younger and we are loving every minute. Our granddaughter is beautiful.”

Cllr Heath, a Basingstoke First Community Party councillor for Hatch Warren and Beggarwood, added: “It’s terrific. James is a lovely little boy and my wife and I are enjoying every moment.

“We were expecting Brian’s granddaughter to be born two weeks ahead of our grandson but, amazingly, they were born within 25 minutes of each other.

“I think it’s probably a very unique situation and it’s something nice for them both to look back on when they are older.”