NEW Portland town mayor Tim Woodcock was invested with the chain of office by out-going mayor Kris Haskins at a ceremony held at Portland Heights Hotel.

Coun Woodcock, 52, and his wife Marlene have lived most of their married life on the island where they have watched their children and grandchildren grow up.

Mr Woodcock, who works for Dorset County Council's social care and health department, said in his acceptance speech: "To live on Portland has always been a pleasure and to serve as mayor is a great honour.

"I will work as hard as I can in promoting the island, its people and its businesses."

He added: "I believe that the town council is important for the island as it is a voice for the people that has made many positive contributions to many aspects of island life and policies affecting it.

"This function to achieve many positive things need to be developed even more and I believe that there is the will and commitment within this council to do this."

On the future of a town mayor or chairman for Portland, Coun Woodcock believes that the people should decide what they want and the issue will be on the agenda for an early full council meeting.

Of the recent difficulties which have faced the council, he said: "Recriminations and dwelling on the past is not the way forward so we must look to the future."

Coun Tim Munro was invested as deputy town mayor, Coun Woodcock named Island Volunteers for You as his charity for the year and the Rev Fionn McKinty accepted the office of mayor's chaplain.

In his final speech as the island's town mayor, Coun Kris Haskins said that his year had been a bit of a roller coaster ride and he now felt that he wanted to get off.