Ashford's new mayor cheated death - just 14 hours after taking up his role.

Cllr John Holland missed being struck by a falling 30ft tree by inches the morning after his mayor-making ceremony.

He said: "If I had been hit I could have been Ashford's shortest-lived mayor. The tree fell just 20 seconds later after I passed the spot."

The drama unfolded at 9.15am Friday as he was returning home along Millbank Road with his dog.

He said: "It was horrible at the time but I can laugh about it now. Either God was looking after me or the dog was."

Cllr Holland, 78, had been sworn in as Ashford Mayor at 7pm the evening before at the town's Civic Centre.

It is thought the tree had been weakened by recent strong winds and a lorry rumbling past that morning may also have contributed to its fall.