By Emma Grove

The borough's new mayor says he is honoured and humbled to have been chosen.

Veteran councillor Steve Worrall took up his chain of office at a traditional mayor-making ceremony on Tuesday. His friend Therese Davies, will be mayoress.

Grandad-of-five Cllr Worrall replaces the outgoing mayor Cllr Adrian Crowther.

The 80-year-old has represented Sheerness West ward as a Labour councillor since 1973, although the boundaries have changed since he was first elected.

He was born in Yorkshire and spent most of his younger years in Norfolk before moving to Sheppey in 1947 to work for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Cllr Worrall, who lives in New Road, Sheerness, is a trustee of the Island Partnership in Trinity Road, Sheerness and the Freedom Centre in St George's Avenue, Sheerness. His first official function will be visiting a coffee morning in Faversham in aid of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA), tomorrow (Saturday).

Cllr Worrall, who used to run the Red Lion pub at Blue Town with Mrs Davies, said one of his priorities in the coming year will be to support local charities and he will be more than happy to go along to events staged by them.

He is surprised at himself for his decision to go for the position of mayor, because it hasn't always been one of his ambitions.

Despite this, he said he is thoroughly looking forward to his year in office.

He said: "I was very pleased at the response I got from members and feel very proud that they elected me. I feel honoured and humbled.

"I was a bit overwhelmed at the mayor-making ceremony. I really am looking forward to an enjoyable year and I want the public and the members of the council to share it with me."

n At the mayor-making ceremony, Cllr Ben Stokes, Conservative ward councillor for Iwade and Lower Halstow, was elected as deputy mayor, with Sylvia Bennett the deputy mayoress.