Mayor Neil Rix was told félicitations, or congratulations, by a dignitary from his French twin town.

Phlippe Mignonet, deputy mayor of Calais, was one of the many guests at the mayor making ceremony at Dover Town Hall last night (Thursday) .

Cllr Rix had been re-elected Dover’s first citizen for the second year running.

Cllr Roger Walkden became deputy mayor, replacing Cllr Chris Precious.

Cllr Rix said one feature of his first year had been that there had been success in bringing town and district organisations working more closely together for the area.

He said: “We have had a lot of success in bringing everybody together, Dover Town Council, Dover District Council, the Port of Dover and Dover Town Team.

“Everybody is trying to make the town better and we are now singing from the same hymn sheet. I’m now having regular meetings with the team at Dover DIstrict Council.

“We will carry on and get what we want for this town.

“Thank you all for electing me. I will give it my all and we will get a lot more results this year.”

The mayor making was part of Dover Town Council’s annual meeting where members agreed to a proposal by Neil Rix to give Age UK a grant of £6,244.

The money, for 2017/18 is to keep the charity’s Saturday service going at Dover’s Riverside Centre.

It provides lunch for the elderly but is at risk of closing, for that day of the week, because falling attendance.

But those still needing it that day, such as people without family to visit, would be left isolated at weekends.

Centre managers believe they could eventually increase attendance by better marketing.

Cllr Rix told colleagues: “It seems like a lot of money but it’s a lifeline for old folk.

“I can’ t find it in myself to say no.”