A NEW mayor has been sworn into office in Yate.

Cllr Ian Blair is marking his 10th year as a town councillor by becoming the leader of the council.

He was sworn in during the annual town council meeting on Tuesday evening.

He said: “I am very proud and honoured to be mayor of Yate. When I came to Yate 30 years ago and told colleagues that I lived here, they said 'No, you don't?'

"But I am very proud to be part of Yate and a lot of that is to do with the work Yate Town Council does. It is a good place to live and I hope it continues to be."

Cllr Blair has been deputy mayor for the past two years and is a serving district councillor on South Gloucestershire Council.

He takes over leadership of the town council from Cllr Mike Robbins, who was praised by his colleagues for bravely battling cancer during his term of office.

Cllr Wully Perks said: “Mike has proved himself to be a most wonderful and able mayor.

"He fulfilled so many of his engagements even though he was ill for most of the time. That just shows the character of the man.”

Cllr Robbins, who has been a Yate town councillor for 20 years, said: “All I can say is thank you for two wonderful years which I have enjoyed so much.

"It has been a pleasure being the mayor of Yate town and I hope Ian Blair derives as much pleasure out of it as I did."

The council also gave a vote of thanks to Cllr Sue Walker, who is celebrating her 30th anniversary as a serving councillor.