Malmesbury firefighter Wayne Jones is to become the new mayor of the town.

Councillor Jones, 44, of Ron Golding Close was elected as the new mayor by councillors and will take over from Councillor John Gundry.

Coun Jones, who is now in his third year of being a councillor, was chair of the Policy and Resources committee last year and has lived in Malmesbury for twenty years.

He said: "I am honoured to be elected as mayor of course, but it doesn't change the fact that I still have the responsibilities of a councillor, except I now have the additional role and responsibilities of a mayor.

"I haven't worked out my charities yet so I don't have any specific plans or to put it in better words, a theme yet. I know a few mayors in the past have worked out their theme and then picked their charities, so I'm currently in the process of working that out.

Coun Jones lives with his wife Caroline and his two 10 and 7 year old daughters. He is Malmesbury station manager for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The new mayor added: "I think John had a very successful year and he has led us through some difficult times. He has been a strong leader, an outstanding mayor and he has upheld the traditions expected of the role.

At the Annual Town Council Meeting, Coun Gundry spoke of the "solid progress" the council had made and mentioned the free parking trial in Station Road car park, the establishment of a Flood Warden scheme, the emergency plan, the unexpected work that needed to be done to repair the fabric at the Town Hall and the friendship agreement with the German town of Bad Hersfeld.

Coun Gundry said: "These achievements have required a great deal of hard work which has taken place against the background of the regular work required of a Town Council, which is in itself significant. So in closing, I would sincerely like to thanks town councillors and town hall staff for making this all possible."

Coun Jones becomes mayor at a ceremony on May 31.