A former council leader is now serving as the mayor of Tunbridge Wells.

Long serving councillor Len Horwood was elected at a full council meeting on Tuesday.

Outgoing mayor Julia Soyke congratulated Cllr Horwood on his appointment, before presenting a £32,103 cheque to Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Service, her chosen charity.

For 25 years Cllr Horwood has served Pantiles and St Mark's ward.

In that time he has been council leader, portfolio holder for finance and chair of the Audit Committee.

He is chairman of Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource and has chosen the service as the mayor's charity for the coming year.

Cllr Horwood is also the joint chair of his local residents' association, a governor of Claremont School and on the board of Trinity Arts Centre.

His wife Judy will accompany him as mayoress on his mayoral duties.

Fellow Pantiles and St Mark's councillor, James Scholes, was elected as deputy mayor at the meeting.