Cllr Deryck Murray has been elected as Mayor of Deal after four years as deputy mayor.

The appointment was made during the mayor making ceremony, attended by guests including the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Mayor of Shepway, Mayor of Thanet and Deal Carnival court, in Deal Town Hall on Friday.

Cllr Murray, 84, received seven votes from his fellow councillors with Cllr Marlene Burnham receiving the remaining four.

Cllr Murray said: “It is a great honour to have been selected to serve Deal for the second time, the last time was in the year 2005/2006.

“My first response is to thank all those who were instrumental is having our high street designated the best in England. It is my sincere hope that in the coming year we can make Deal the cleanest, kindest, most welcoming town in Kent, if not in the whole country. We will all have to work together to achieve this.”

He later added: “My plans are mainly for various organisations to benefit youth and employment.

He also has visions to improve the town’s drains.

He said: “We live in a floodplain and unless the drainage system is kept properly cleared there will be localised flooding, which will mean insurance premiums going up for the whole town and it will affect the whole town if we don’t persuade Kent County Council to keep the drains clear.”

The council unanimously voted David Cronk, 50, to be deputy mayor.

For the full story, pick up the East Kent Mercury, out on Thursday.