Conservative councillor Adrian Friend has been elected as the new Mayor of Deal.

The north Deal councillor was selected to take on the role at the first full meeting of the new Conservative-led council last night (Monday).

Following a nomination by Cllr Wayne Elliot, seconded by Cllr Trevor Bond, he received eight votes to six against Cllr David Cronk.

Having served on Deal Town Council from 2007 until 2011, Cllr Friend has returned with a bang. He is the first Conservative mayor the town has had since 1989. It is also be his first time in the responsibilty.

Cllr Elliott said: “I think Cllr Friend will do an excellent job. Over the last four years he has been out working in the community, working with the church, even with the staff, when they have called on him.”

Cllr Friend, who was born and raised in Deal, said: “I feel very humbled. I think it’s a great honour to represent our town and I will do it to the best of my ability.

“It’s the first time in 25 years we have had a Tory mayor. We’ve got some young people on our team which is what we need. We need to attract more young people into politics otherwise it will just die out.”

Cllr Friend will continue his work with Sandown Castle Gardening Group and the Deal in Bloom Working Group.

He said: “My focus will be on small groups which aren’t registered charities. I will be hosting different events to raise funds for them.”

Cllr Elliot was chosen to be deputy mayor.

Cllr Trevor Bond, who nominated him, said he comes with a wealth of experience which is what is needed for a good stable council.

Former mayor Deryck Murray wished his successor all the best as they had exchanged the Mayoral Chain of Office.

Cllr Friend will hold his Civic Mayoral Evening on Friday, May 29 in the town hall chamber at 7.15pm.

Members of the public are invited to attend the free event, but due to limited capacity of the town hall admittance will be by ticket only.

Call into the town hall’s reception during office hours to collect a ticket; they will be allocated on a first come first served basis.