THE new mayor of Test Valley has said he will 'do his very best' after the annual ceremony this week.

Councillor Ian Carr was appointed as mayor, making him the first councillor to fulfill the role over two different terms, following his time in the position 23 years ago.

His wife Beryl is also returning as mayoress.

Having served for the past 12 months, cllr Carl Borg-Neal stood down at the meeting in Andover on Wednesday.

Cllr Carr said: "Thank you very much for this lovely opportunity.

"I must congratulate Carl and Maria for a job very well done, they will be a very hard act to follow.

"We will do our very best but it will probably be at a slower pace.”

Stepping down from his position as mayor at the meeting, Cllr Carl Borg Neal said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve this wonderful part of Hampshire known as Test Valley as mayor for the past year.

"I’m deliberately not calling out any events, as they have all been special in there own way.

"However I will say my year as mayor has been one like no other I’ve had in my life and a learning experience like no other I’ve had, or probably will have and I thank mum, my mayoress, for the help and support she’s given me, having been a veteran of sorts, having supported dad 11 years ago in his year as mayor.”