DAVID John Willoughby has been elected Alton Town Mayor after just two years as a councillor.
In proposing last year's deputy mayor for the job, former leader Peter Whitmarsh commended Mr Willoughby as a "dedicated and hard-working" councillor.
He added: "I have no doubt that he will be a successful mayor."
The proposal was seconded by Pam Bradford and received unanimous support from the chamber.
In expressing sincere thanks for the trust placed in him by his colleagues, David Willoughby said he would do his best to act as a worthy emissary both for the council and for the town of Alton.
It would be a challenge, he said, to take over from Pat Cole. Known throughout Alton as "the wheeled wonder", Mr Willoughby said Mrs Cole was "a wonderful lady" who had been a marvellous ambassador for the town.
Despite her disability, she had pushed herself to respond to the demands of office and had "risen to the challenge nobly".
In admitting that Pat Cole would be a tough act to follow, not least due to his comparative lack of experience, Mr Willoughby pledged that with the support and strength of his fellow councillors, the town council officers and that of his wife Margaret, he would endeavour to maintain the high standard set by three years of lady mayors.
Mr Willoughby is a legal accountant who, having taken early retirement after 13 years with Lloyds Bank, has for the past three years been his own boss.
Perhaps better known in Holybourne where he has lived with his family for more than 16 years, as "the town's number-one servant", he is looking forward now to spending more time with the people of Alton.
As well as a councillor, the new mayor is chairman of governors at Andrews Endowed School, a parent governor at Eggars, treasurer for the Church of the Holy Rood and a former treasurer for Rehab.
He is also a keen environmentalist who can often be seen riding his bike through the town, and has an active interest in football, being treasurer for more than 30 years of Hartley Wintney Football Club.
His wife Margaret, is a supply teacher and they have two children, Richard (16) who is currently taking GCSEs and has now left school with his sights set on a career in catering, and Deborah (14) who remains a pupil at Eggars.
John Smith was elected deputy town mayor, following a nomination by David Willoughby. Mr Willoughby pointed out that John too had strong Holybourne connections, being the son of former mayor, COG Smith who had served Alton with such distinction over many years.
Dave Crocker seconded the nomination which was duly carried.
In accepting the appointment, Mr Smith thanked members for their confidence which he would strive to repay by supporting the mayor to the best of his ability.
David Willoughby took pleasure in appointing the Rev James Croft, vicar of Holybourne, as council chaplain during his term of office, and announced that Rehab would be his chosen charity for the year.
p David Crocker was elected to succeed Peter Whitmarsh as council leader for the next two years with Paddy Mendham as his deputy.