HISTORY was made at the annual mayor making ceremony held on Wednesday.

Councillor Ian Carr was appointed as mayor, making him the first councillor in the history of Test Valley Borough Council to be appointed to the role on two separate occasions.

He first took on the role 23 years ago.

Cllr Carr will perform the role alongside his wife Beryl who is returning as mayoress.

Councillor Carl Borg-Neal stood down as mayor at the meeting held at the Guildhall, after serving for a year with mayoress Maria Neal.

Speaking at the annual meeting of Test Valley Borough Council at which he was appointed to the mayorship, Cllr Carr said: “Thank you very much for this lovely opportunity.

“I must congratulate Carl and Maria for a job very well done, they will be a very hard act to follow.

“We will do our very best but it will probably be at a slower pace.”

Stepping down from his position as mayor at the meeting, Cllr Carl Borg-Neal said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve this wonderful part of Hampshire known as Test Valley as mayor for the past year.

“I’m deliberately not calling out any events, as they have all been special in their own way.

“However I will say my year as mayor has been one like no other I’ve had in my life and a learning experience like no other I’ve had, or probably will have.

“I thank mum, my mayoress, for the help and support she’s given me, having been a veteran of sorts, having supported dad 11 years ago in his year as mayor.”