THE new Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr Jill Anderson, has received the chains of office from outgoing Mayor, Stephen Cresswell.

The borough council's annual mayor-making ceremony took place at the start of the borough council's annual meeting, in Gibson Drive, Kings Hill.

It was a ceremony tinged with sadness as Cllr Anderson's husband, Keith, died earlier this year.

Mr Cresswell and his wife, Janis, lost their seats as Lib Dem councillors for East Peckham in the local elections two weeks ago.

Cllr Anderson said after the meeting: "I'm very pleased and honoured to have been asked to be Mayor and particularly to be the first Mayor to come from Hadlow. I am looking forward to meeting as many people as possible, especially those whose only reward is the satisfaction and pleasure they gain from helping others.

"I'm also looking forward to being an ambassador for the borough to our neighbouring authorities."

Cllr Anderson has nominated the Heart of Kent Hospice, Aylesford, and the Hospice in the Weald, Pembury, as her two chosen charities for the year.

Cllr Anderson said: "I have chosen the two hospices as my charities because their work is crucial to those who are seriously ill and they depend so much on local support."