Colchester's Millennium Mayor has urged his colleagues to invite him to meet the people they represent in their own wards.

Martin Hunt urged fellow councillors to organise an event in their wards to give him the chance to meet the people of Colchester in their own backyards.

He said at yesterday's mayor-making ceremony: "It is my aim to get out to every single ward to meet the people."

Hockley-born Mr Hunt spoke of his pride at being able to represent the town in the coming year.

"Colchester is the best town in Essex to be mayor to," he said. "I wouldn't want to be mayor in any other town, even the one I was born in."

Labour leader Tim Young accused the Liberal Democrats of carrying out a "hate campaign" against former borough councillor Kim Naish.

The Liberal Democrats denied the allegation at yesterday's annual council meeting.

Kim Naish lost his seat representing the Mile End ward to Conservative Nicholas Taylor in the elections this month.

The following were elected chairman and deputy chairman of the council's committees and sub-commitees: Colin Sykes and Jenny Stevens, policy and resources; Jenny Stevens and Chris Hall, arts and leisure; John Stevens and Mary Blandon, housing and community services; Ken Jones and Andrew Phillips, of environmental protection; Terry Sutton and Henry Spyvee, planning and transportation; Steve Cawley and Paul Smith, human and financial resources sub-committee; Mike Hogg and Westley Sandford, land resources sub-committee; Bill Frame and Peter Thompson, economic development sub-committee; Ray Gamble and Bill Frame, development control sub-committee; Henry Spyvee and Nick Cope, traffic management sub-committee.

Millennium mayor Martin Hunt

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