A DEDICATED councillor has been elected to the post of Tavistock mayor for the forthcoming year.

Cllr Sue Bailey, who has been on the town council for six years and deputy mayor for the past year, was voted in by her fellow members at Tavistock Town Council's annual meeting last Tuesday.

Cllr Bailey, who was nominated for the post by outgoing mayor Cllr Harry Smith, said: 'Thank you very much — I look forward to representing the town and thank you so much for allowing me this opportunity.

'My heart has always been with Tavistock — I love the town council, the staff and the atmosphere and I love Tavistock.'

Before handing over the chain of office to Cllr Bailey, Cllr Smith expressed thanks to all councillors past and present, to the outgoing mayor's cadet Ali Cox and to his wife Mary, who has been mayor consort for two years.

Cllr Smith said: 'It is true to say that when I was first elected mayor in my wildest dreams I did not envisage a second year would follow.

'I was immensely proud throughout the two years that I was able to experience both a fantastic civic role and able to be part of an organisation which achieved some pretty extraordinary advances on many fronts.

'On the ceremonial side I thank the many organisations who invited us to share in many of their events — I personally thank the thousands of volunteers working so hard to make Tavistock the great place it is.

'Throughout my two years in the chair I have striven to behave in a manner commensurate with the responsibility of the role and display deference to those involved in both side of the debate.

'If I were to say tonight that coming to the end of a two year stint as mayor does not present itself to me as an emotional roller coaster, I would not be honest. It is, however, time for me to move on and support the new mayor and the organisation in its endeavours. Thank you members for giving me the opportunity two years ago.'

He expressed thanks to all who helped contribute to his chosen charity Make A Difference — a total of £784.35 was raised.

Cllr Anne Johnson gave a tribute to the outgoing mayor Cllr Smith. She congratulated him on his hard work representing the town and for understanding the town and the people of Tavistock.

Cllr Mandy Ewings, who joined the town council in February 2003, was voted in by members as the new deputy mayor for the next year.

She thanked councillors for their support and pledged her support to Cllr Bailey: 'There are many changes coming and we have six new councillors to appoint. There will be many changes and we need to pull together for the good of the town.'

• The appointment of committees and sub-committees had been deferred until co-options of the town council have taken place.