MAKING Weymouth and Portland safe for all ages and beliefs will be new mayor Les Ames' main task for his coming year in office.

Coun Ames took over the mayoral chain and duties from outgoing mayor Lynne Herbert at last night's Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's annual meeting and mayor-making ceremony at Weymouth Pavilion.

He said that the borough faced a problem of unacceptable behaviour which had to be solved.

Coun Ames added: "I intend this to be my theme in the coming year. I will do all in my power to encourage work and ideas that will ensure this problem is dealt with."

Coun Ames added that he believed 2005-2006 would be vital for the future of the borough. He said a decision in July on whether London won the 2012 Olympics could have huge benefits for Weymouth and Portland as would the submission of a planning application for Weymouth's orange route relief road in September.

Coun Ames added: "Individual residents or landowners may have concerns as to how it might affect them, but I believe passionately that the community as a whole, including business and the tourism industry, will unite to support this improvement to the access to Weymouth and Portland."

Jobs losses at New Look and HMP Weare were unfortunate, he said, but he was sure they could be replaced while he was delighted at the better future for borough students with the increasing importance of Royal Manor College and Weymouth College.

Elsewhere he said everyone had to work together on the housing strategy to relieve the need for affordable housing.

Finally he said that front line council services had to provide what people wanted with better refuse and recycling services, clean and well-maintained streets and roads, attractive parks and gardens, improved public transport and access for minorities.

Coun Ames, the first councillor to serve two terms as mayor since the borough council was formed in 1974, also said that his charities for the coming year would be the Portland branch of the Dorset Association for the Disabled and WOW Youth Musical Theatre.

Councillors also thanked outgoing mayor Lynne Herbert and paid tribute to her work during the year.

Coun Anne Kenwood was nominated by Coun Andy Blackwood and seconded by Coun Kaye Wilcox as deputy mayor before Mr Ames announced that Portland's St Andrew's Church vicar, the Rev Eric Mitchell, would be his chaplain for the coming mayoral year. The annual civic service will be at All Saints Church, Portland, on July 10, at 6.30pm.