A town council gathered at an annual meeting, last night, to elect a new town mayor and deputy.

Councillor Stephen Pewsey stepped down from the post as Loughton’s town mayor following a successful year in the position.

Following a unanimous decision, last year’s deputy town mayor, Councillor Jill Angold-Stephens, was handed the ceremonial chain and Councillor Sharon Weston was elected as her deputy.

In her first speech to the council, Loughton’s new mayor thanked her predecessor for his commitment to the council.

She said: “In the last year you have done everything from the Diamond Jubilee to the fun runs, Stephen, you couldn’t have done it better.

“I am going to do exactly as you did.”