CLLR Lynn Berry became Royston s new mayor on Monday evening – and admitted she had a hard act to follow . She praised the work during the past 12 months of last year s mayor Cllr Bill Prime. Cllr Prime had raised more than £6,000 for his charities – the

CLLR Lynn Berry became Royston's new mayor on Monday evening - and admitted she had "a hard act to follow".

She praised the work during the past 12 months of last year's mayor Cllr Bill Prime.

Cllr Prime had raised more than £6,000 for his charities - the Frank

Letts Blind Fellowship and Royston and south Cambridgeshire Home-Start.

He attended 147 engagements and, as he said, had had "12 wonderful months".

Cllr Berry took over as mayor at the annual meeting of Royston Town Council.

Speaking afterwards she said: "I have a hard to act to follow and

I will put as much into it as is possible. I mean to represent Royston in any way I can."

Her mayoral engagements begin on Saturday when she will be presenting prizes at the Royston Leisure Centre to members of the Melbourn Judo Club.

Cllr Berry said her charities for the year will be Meldreth Manor School and the Old Barn Day Centre in Royston.

"They are charities which are relevant to the area and, in a way, are at each end of the spectrum."

She said her original idea had been rejected by children, Charlotte, 19, and Chris, 22.

"They said the charities should be local and came up with the ideas," she said.

Cllr Berry added that she did not believe she would become mayor "quite as soon" in her town council career.

She was originally elected to the town council four years ago and was re-elected in the Palace ward earlier this month.

Cllr Berry has lived in Royston for 23 years and has been a swimming teacher at local schools and a youth worker.

For the past two years she was leader of the town council - a position which has been taken over by Cllr Philip Mayne.

Her consult for the year will be her husband, David Berry.

Cllr Chris Barton was elected deputy mayor.

Cllr Barton also became chairman of the general purposes and highways committee; Cllr Prime chairman of the planning committee and Cllr Mayne chairman of the finance committee.

At the end of evening Crow editor Les Baker presented a cheque to the town council in support of the Royston May Fayre and one to Cllr Prime for his mayoral charities.