WHENEVER the new Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr Stephen Cresswell, needs a helpful hint on what is expected of the role he will not have to look far to find an expert. His wife, Cllr Janis Cresswell, was mayor of the borough from 1996 to 1997 and will be on-hand to offer advice on all situations.

It is only the second time a husband and wife have both been mayors of the borough - the others were Roy and Pat Barnes of Leybourne - and Cllr Cresswell believes it has prepared him for his year as first citizen.

Cllr Cresswell, who represents East Peckham, joined the borough council five years ago and has also been a parish councillor for the village for four years.

He was elected Mayor at a meeting on Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council on Tuesday and will balance his Mayoral duties with his job as a chartered surveyor in London.

MAIDSTONE has a new Marshall in town who is ready to work tirelessly for the good of the borough. Cllr Pat Marshall was formally elected Mayor of Maidstone this week.

The former deputy mayor, she took over as the borough's civic head from outgoing mayor, Cllr Paulina Stockell. Cllr Marshall has been an Independent councillor on Maidstone council for 12 years, representing Bearsted ward.

Her son Darren flew from America to see his mother make her declaration of acceptance in the Town Hall.

In her first speech to the council as mayor, Cllr Marshall paid tribute to her late husband Bill. She said: "When I was first elected 12 years ago it never entered my head that one day I would be Mayor of Maidstone. There's no doubt in my mind, however, that I wouldn't be in this position without the help and unselfish attitude of my late husband."