THE newly-elected mayor of Tidworth says he hopes to work with those who make a difference in the town.

Councillor Brian Pratt was nominated for the position at the annual council meeting on Tuesday, with Councillor Sue Fell elected as deputy mayor.

Cllr Pratt takes over the role from Mark Connolly, who held the position for two-and-a-half-years.

He joined the council in 2013, and went on to become the chair of the community engagement committee before being elected deputy mayor.

“I am really excited and really proud of becoming mayor, it is something obviously as deputy you look forward to. I am really proud of the community and hope to work with the local community, both military and civilian.”

Cllr Pratt moved to Tidworth in 1999 having been born in Andover and lived in Ludgershall with his family.

And being in the mayoral role, Cllr Pratt hopes to meet a lot of the town residents.

“I want to go and meet as many of the Tidworth people as I can, I look forward to working with organisations and companies that work in Tidworth, there a lot of great community organisations out there.”

Before passing over the role Cllr Connolly wrote on social media: “It has been an honour and privilege to undertake the role. I would like to thank my fellow town councillors and the council’s staff for their support and especially my wife, who puts up with all my meetings.”