COUNCILLOR Eileen Berry last night (WED) became Winchester’s 815th mayor at a traditional ceremony held at the city’s Guildhall.

The Conservative local politician, who has served on the council for the past 11 years, formally received her chain of office from the outgoing Cllr Ernie Jeffs.

Cllr Berry has long yearned to be Mayor of Winchester and has described her year in office as “the greatest honour I’ll ever experience”.

Her predecessors stretch all the way back to around 1200, when the city was first given permission during the reign of Richard the Lionheart to create the role.

Until the 16th century the mayor-elect was required to travel to Westminster to receive royal assent.