THE new mayor of Royston took office this week, with Cllr Bob Smith taking the mayoral chains.

Cllr Smith was unanimously voted into the role by members of Royston Town Council at the council’s annual meeting on Monday, and takes over from outgoing mayor Cllr Lindsay Davidson. His wife, Maureen, will be his mayoress.

He said: “I will have a tough act to follow but will do my best to uphold their examples.

“Royston has been my adopted home for 12 years and my wife and I have come to appreciate the many benefits of living here.

“We are both looking forward to representing the town in a civic capacity.”

A retired electrical engineer, Cllr Smith has lived in Royston since 2000. Previously a borough councillor in Broxbourne, he was elected to Royston Town Council, representing Meridian ward, in 2006, and re-elected in 2010.

His mayoral charities will be CLIC Sargent Cancer Care for Children and the Mayor’s Community Chest fund, which supports local events and organisations.

During her year as mayor, Cllr Davidson attended over 90 events and raised more than £5,600 for her charities, Royston and South Cambridgeshire Home-Start and the Royston and district Volunteer Centre. She also chaired the Royston 2012: A Year of Celebrations committee.

She said: “It’s been an amazing experience to be mayor, and I’m so glad I did it. I’d like to thank all the people I’ve worked with during the year, they’ve all been so supportive.

“I wish Bob all the best and know he will make an excellent mayor.”