WITHAM’S new mayor says she has a big pair of shoes to fill in replacing her predecessor Tom Pleasance.

Independent councillor Clare Lager was chosen to take on the role for the next year during the town council’s annual general meeting.

Fellow councillors voted in favour of upholding the precedent of selecting the previous year’s deputy as the new mayor.

Mrs Lager said: “I feel really honoured to have been appointed as the new Witham town mayor following my re-election as a town councillor.

“Having lived in the town for 50 years, I am immensely proud to be part of such a wonderful community and will do everything I can to promote Witham while in office.

“There are so many outstanding charities in the area.

“Over the coming weeks, I will be working hard to select two which will become my chosen charities and fundraising focus for the year.”

Ron Ramage was chosen as Witham’s new deputy town mayor.

Mrs Lager added: “I would like to pass on my very sincere thanks to our previous town mayor Tom Pleasance and his wife Jenny for their amazing work over the past year.

“You have certainly left me some big shoes to try and fill and I will be doing my very best to continue the hard work you have both been totally committed to.”