Ludlow’s new mayor elect is Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith, it was revealed today.

Councillor Taylor-Smith takes over from Councillor Jim Newbold who will be hosting the Mayor’s Sunday service at St Laurence’s Church on May 10 from 3.30pm.

After the service Councillor Newbold will take a salute from the steps of the Buttercross and the parade will then be dismissed from the top of Broad Street.

The official mayor-making ceremony will take place at Ludlow Assembly Rooms on May 13 at 7pm. Councillor Taylor-Smith, who has also sat on South Shropshire District Council, said “I am absolutely delighted. We are actually starting to make things happen and it is starting to come together.”

Councillor Taylor-Smith said he was pleased that two major projects in the town were already under way.

He said: “Work on the Linney started last week, the drainage work at the cemetery is being completed this week and we have a grant of £25,000 for the work on the Buttercross. This year’s theme is going to be about delivering what we say we are going to deliver.

“We are also going to apply for a grant for the Castle Gardens.”

Councillor Taylor-Smith said he hoped that through funding for the garden one of the improvements will involve getting an ancient fountain working again after being out of action for years.

He added: “We are going to have another annual meeting at the end of May and I will be announcing my chosen charity then.”