A new mayor has said he is delighted to assume the position and wants to play a big part in the coastal town’s immediate future.

Graham Newman was elected as mayor at a mayor-making ceremony at Felixstowe Town Council on Wednesday evening, taking over from Jan Garfield.

Mr Newman said: “I’m absolutely delighted to undertake the duty and to get a unanimous vote.

“There are lots of things to be done in Felixstowe and I want to play a big part in that. We have great events during the year.”

Mr Newman, also a councillor for Suffolk County Council, has been part of Felixstowe Town Council since 2009.

He said: “We’ve got a good town. There are lots of nice eateries and we’ve got lots of little cabins. The pier renovation is due to begin later this year too.

“Then we’re also hearing about the possibility of the Spa Pavilion reopening, which people miss so much. We have got to make sure that people use it.

“It’s very early days but it’s a much-missed facility. When it comes it’s got to be used. Whoever comes in will have their own ideas and we have to be there.

“We have a mission for Felixstowe, we have got to safeguard facilities in our town.”

Mr Newman also said that he would be working with the ports, and safeguarding the route to Ipswich.

“I’ve got plenty of campaigning to do.”

He also announced his charities for the year, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, who do “fantastic work behind the scenes”, and the Level Two Youth Group.

He said: “The CAB is an important endeavour that should be supported.

“The youth group runs for people between the age of 10 and 25. It runs club nights every night of the week. If we want our young people to be occupied then Level Two is the place for that.”

The new mayor will be undertaking sponsored walks to raise money for his two chosen charities.

Mr Newman added that it was going to be a year of change, as the council were hoping to appoint a new town clerk.

There is also a new email address for people to contact the mayor – mayor@felixstowe.gov.uk.