Ian Wright, one of three councillors for Little Baddow, Danbury and Sandon, was declared Mayor-elect at a special meeting of the borough council on Wednesday.

Cllr Wright, a retired Essex Police chief superintendent, has a record of bravery. He has received two Royal Humane Society awards for saving people from drowning, and other awards for courage.

During his police service he saved a young boy from drowning in Ardleigh Reservoir, and, just three years' ago, at the age of 61, he saved the life of a woman who fell into a five feet deep swollen ford of the Sandon Brook when her horse stumbled.

An active member of the local community, Cllr Wright has served on Sandon Parish Council for nine years and is currently vice-chairman. A Conservative, he was elected to the council in 1999. The next Mayor will take office at the annual council meeting in May.

Published Friday January 23, 2004

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