A councillor who has served in Tunbridge Wells for more than four decades has been named the borough's new mayor.

Cllr James Scholes was first elected as a Conservative member in Pantiles ward in 1976 and after a two-year break, he returned to the council in 1988 representing Pantiles & St Mark’s, the seat he currently holds.

He was also a Kent County Councillor from 1993 until 2017.

Cllr Scholes’ wife Jane, with whom he has a daughter and a son who both live locally, will accompany him as Mayoress during his term of office.

Cllr Scholes, a grandfather of six, has chosen to support the charity Compaid during his mayoral year, which helps disabled people in and around Kent to overcome the multiple barriers of social, digital and economic exclusion that they face every day.

Outgoing Mayor Cllr Len Horwood congratulated Cllr Scholes on his appointment and concluded his term of office by presenting a cheque for £25,000 to his chosen charity Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource.

Cllr Joy Podbury, Conservative member for Rusthall was elected Deputy Mayor at the meeting held this week.

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells