Outgoing mayor Nora Goodman revealed a record-breaking £35,000 has been raised for a major revamp of St John Ambulance's Southend headquarters.

The announcement came as new mayor Tony North took over the chain of office and pledged to visit the different communities that make up Southend.

Beaming Mr North, Tory councillor for Shoebury, kept a long-standing vow to raise cash for the Southend Toy Library and the Royal Association for the Deaf.

He made the promise back in 1993 when it looked like he was set to become mayor of Southend.

Mr North said: "Well! I didn't think this would ever happen."

He also pledged to visit the different communities that make up Southend following the recent nail bomb attacks in London.

He added: "I know we go to synagogues and churches but I want to include the temple and mosques."

Wife Janet North was also formally greeted to the role as Southend's mayoress.

Lib Dem Eastwood councillor Mrs Goodman thanked her charity committee for helping to raise £35,000 for St John Ambulance.

She said: "I didn't quite get to my target of £43,000 but believe me, the promises of gifts to come - we'll make it."

Lib Dem council leader Graham Longley was also elected as deputy mayor.

Mr North is the first mayor in Southend to be elected on his service record rather than being put forward by the ruling administration.

A group of mother's protesting at cuts to the Marigold Centre caused a minor disturbance to Southend's mayor making as young children cried out and blew raspberries.

Council officers asked the parents to take their children from the public gallery and they left quietly.

Handover - new mayor Tony North with the former mayor's escort David Wainwright

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

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