Swale’s new mayor has been appointed for the 2015/16 civic year.

Cllr Anita Walker, who succeeds Cllr George Bobbin, accepted her new role when the council held its annual meeting at Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, last Tuesday.

Her chosen charities are the Sheerness, Sittingbourne, Teynham and Faversham carnival clubs.

The 72-year-old said: “It is an honour to be appointed mayor.

“I look forward to seeing more of the borough and I hope schools, organisations, charities will want me to visit – but not too many stairs please!

“I know Faversham very well having been born there and I look forward to raising a lot of money for charity within the borough.”

Cllr Bobbin said: “I have had an exceptionally enjoyable year and have undertaken more than 300 engagements.

“Two stand out. The first on Remembrance Day and the VC of Donald Dean – the only one ever given in Sittingbourne.

“The other with Sir Philip Neame and laying of the plaque in Faversham.

“But the most memorable of all was taking a coach load of students to the Menin Gate and cemeteries and see them realise just how much was given to us by those men in those days, and just how young they were.”