A new Mayor has been elected for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

During an online meeting earlier today, Cllr Joy Podbury, was selected for the position previously held by Cllr James Scholes.

Previously the Deputy Mayor of the borough, Cllr Podbury is also the ward member for Rusthall and has been a councillor since 2015. She will be escorted during her term of office by her husband Bob Podbury.

As is customary for the new Mayor, Cllr Podbury has identified a charity she would like to fundraise for.

Choosing to support Porchlight, Cllr Podbury said: "The charity supports homeless, vulnerable, and isolated people in Kent. As you can imagine the demands for their service has increased enormously over the last few months."

Outgoing Mayor Cllr James Scholes previously raised more than £14,800 for the charity Compaid.

The election, and the ceremony of Mayor Making, usually takes place at the Annual Meeting of the Council in May but this year it was cancelled because of the coronavirus.

The ward member for Broadwater Cllr Chris Woodward was elected Deputy Mayor.

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells