A VETERAN councillor said he is “humbled and honoured” to become the first mayor of Colchester under its new title as a city.

Greenstead ward councillor Tim Young, who was first elected to Colchester Council in 1992, was sworn in as the borough’s 189th mayor at a ceremony today.

Addressing fellow councillors, friends, family and members of the public at Colchester Town Hall, he said his views towards the ceremonial title have “mellowed” over the past 30 years.

But he vowed to “break down the perception of ivory towers” during his year as mayor.

He said: “My eyes were opened wider when I was mayoral escort to Julie, you get to see the good work being done by so many people, groups and organisations right across Colchester – often quietly and behind the scenes.”

Announcing his theme of Celebrating Diversity, Challenging Prejudice’ he said Colchester has a long history of welcoming everyone.

He said: “[It has a history of] glorifying its diversity and sharing and embracing different cultures and lifestyles, while understanding and recognising the importance of learning from our long, rich and, at times, bloody history.

“Celebrating diversity is what makes Colchester stand out and I’m sure it played a significant part in our successful application for city status.”

The mayor’s announced the charities which will receive his support over the coming year.

They include African Families in the UK, Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester Korban Project, Next Chapter and the Outhouse.

The new mayor also expressed a desire to promote carbon neutral travelling, evidenced by his arrival at the Town Hall in an e-rickshaw, accompanied by e-cargo bikes.

He told the ceremony: “We will be eschewing use of the mayoral limo and instead will be going to all of our events using sustainable transport methods.”

He added: “This will be a mayoralty for everyone, total accessibility and a welcoming attitude – breaking down the barriers of the perception of ivory towers and bringing the council and the mayoralty to the people of Colchester.”

Mr Young's partner Nicola Goodchild will become mayoress, while the new deputy mayor will be veteran councillor John Jowers, with his wife, Sue Jowers, becoming deputy mayoress.