A NEW Penarth town mayor has been elected for the next year.

Councillor Mike Cuddy took over from cllr Rosemary Cook at the town council's annual general meeting on Friday, May 13.

Cllr Tracey Alexander was chosen as the new deputy town mayor.

Councillors and members of the public gathered at West House for the meeting which began at 7pm.

Cllr Cuddy said: "The town mayor is a great tradition in Penarth and an important civic function.

"It has been a busy but productive year for the council with change and challenges."

He praised the work of Emma Smith, the new town clerk who recently took over from the long serving Shan Bowden.

Cllr Neil Thomas commented: "Cllr Cuddy's contribution to the council has been immense. He deserves to be honoured in this way."

The new town mayor was then taken out of the room to be robed before returning to sign the declaration of acceptance of office.

Cllr Cuddy went on to praise his predecessor cllr Cook who he said was a "symbol of stability."

He said: "She has raised the profile of the town and has been a revelation, raising lots of funds for charity and bringing people together."

Cllr Cook said it had been an honour and a privilege to serve as Penarth's town mayor.

She said: "I've enjoyed meeting a diverse range of people and organisations during my term.

"I recently visited school children in Penarth to explain about the role of the town mayor.

"I've seen the generosity of community spirit in the town with the support they've given my two charities, Forget Me Not Chorus and Teenage Cancer Trust Wales."

She announced the total raised had surpassed £9,100 which will allow both charities to continue to support those who need them.

She thanked Shan Bowden, Emma Smith and her successor cllr Cuddy for their support as well has her husband and consort, Peter Cook.

Thanks were also given to Penarth Youth Action, former Penarth Town Mayor secretary, Andrea Holloway and Alice Turner, the council's customer services lead.

The new town mayor's civic service will take place at St Augustine's Church at a date yet to be confirmed in the autumn.