A FORMER Winchester mayor has been reelected to the role for the first time in more than 40 years.

Central Meon Valley councillor Frank Pearson was handed the keys to the city, along with the rest of the civil regalia, at a ceremony on Wednesday.

Cllr Pearson previously served as mayor in 2012-13, and takes over from Cllr David McLean who will now return to his usual councillor duties, as well taking up a role on the city council's planning committee.

The last time a mayor served a second term was in 1974-75 when Barbara Carpenter Turner took up the role following her first term in 1966-67.

The ceremony also saw Cllr Pearson' wife Anne elected mayoress, and Cllr Eleanor Bell deputy mayor. Cllr Bell's husband Alex will be known as the 'deputy mayor's consort'.

Despite the pomp of the occasion, it had a light-hearted tone. Cllr Pearson joked about having to check the boxes containing the civil regalia hadn't been empties by the outgoing mayor. He then gave a short speech: "I've been told I should give a short address... Abbey House, The Broadway, Winchester."

Cllr Michael Read, who officially nominated Cllr Pearson, a former teacher, as the 819th mayor, also said that Cllr Pearson should be referred to as "Mr Google" for his "encyclopedic knowledge".

Seconder Cllr Victoria Weston added that the mayoress was "responsible for me standing here tonight". She added: "If I'd have known then what I was getting involved with, I would have run a mile."

Part of the annual Winchester City Council Meeting, the night also saw Cllr Caroline Horrill remain leader and portfolio holder for housing. Last year's cabinet will also remain the same, with Cllr Rob Humby as deputy leader and portfolio holder for business and economic development.

Honoured guests where invited to witness the annual ceremony, among them the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire Nigel Atkinson Esq, and the internationally respected professor behind much of Winchester's archaeological work Martin Biddle.

There was also a performance by Barton Peveril A-level student and singer Suzanne Poole. Suzanne holds a singing scholarship from the Hampshire Hub and will lead a production at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre this summer.

Before the night ended, there was recognition for the city councillors who did not return following the election earlier this month.

As previously reported, councillors Nicki Elks, James Byrnes and Ernest Jeffs – himself a former mayor – stepped down from their respective wards, while Cllr Ian Tait lost his St Michael seat to Liberal Democrat Lynda Murphy.

The result saw the Lib Dem reduce the Conservatives' hold on Winchester to just one seat.

Cllr Pearson also confirmed the mayor's charities for the next year will be the The Rowans Hospice, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and the Defence Medical Welfare Service.