The new mayor of Stowmarket said she is “humbled” to represent the town following her appointment this week.

Linda Baxter was named as the new mayor at the town council’s annual meeting on May 2, and will support two charities – Mid Suffolk HomeStart and Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk.

Mrs Baxter said: “I would like to thank our outgoing mayor Dave Muller and his consort, Lois Muller, for their hard work over the past year.

“I am humbled to have been asked to be mayor and represent our town – and I am very much looking forward to the year ahead.”

Mrs Baxter has lived in Suffolk for the past 22 years after being born and brought up in north London.

Having spent her career as a psychiatric nurse, she trained as a counsellor in retirement and now works two days a week in private practice.

The new mayor will be supported in her duties by deputy mayor Paul Ekpenyong.

During the meeting outgoing mayor Dave Muller announced that he had raised a total of £7,047 to be divided between his three charities and received a round of applause from his fellow councillors for his great efforts.