WEYMOUTH Town Council has elected a new mayor.

A new mayor of Weymouth Town Council was appointed at the council's annual meeting last week. Councillor Colin Huckle will replace Cllr Graham Winter, who has held the role for the last two years, and Cllr Ann Weaving will be both deputy mayor and mayor elect.

Cllr Huckle and Cllr Winter plan to hold a picnic in Sandsfoot Gardens on June 6 to celebrate.

Cllr Huckle, who has been deputy mayor for the last two years, said: "It's an honour to be elected as mayor of Weymouth Town Council to serve the residents of Weymouth.

"I would like to thank Councillor Winter for the last two years which we can all appreciate have been extremely difficult. The town council has achieved a lot, even during the pandemic, and I look forward to building on this.

"We hope to hold a picnic for residents in June where we'll get the chance to get back out in the community, speak to residents and give people the opportunity to meet both their former and current mayor."

At the meeting, Cllr Winter, who is the first mayor of the Weymouth Town Council, thanked members for their support during his term as mayor. He held the position for a year longer than expected after the council agreed not to elect a new mayor last year during the first lockdown to "allow some continuity in the present climate and allow clear civic leadership through the crisis and into community recovery."

Cllr Winter said: "I would like to thank our town clerk, staff at the council, Councillor Huckle who has been acting deputy mayor, and all our councillors who have been respectful and supportive.

"While it's not been the mayoral two years I expected and I haven't been able to get out in the community as much as I would have liked, it has been a privilege to serve the people of Weymouth."

At last week's meeting, Cllr Huckle announced his chosen charity for the year will be the Veterans Hub in liaison with the David Ellis Trust.

Cllr Huckle will hold the position until May 2022 when the council will elect a new mayor.

For more information about Weymouth Town Council, visit their website, Facebook and Twitter pages.