THE new mayor of Abergavenny has been announced.

Councillor Douglas Edwards was named after being nominated along with councillor Martin Hickman.

Members took to a vote to decide the new mayor at their last meeting. Councillor Edwards was nominated by councillor Melissa Toombs and Tony Potts. Councillor Jane Foulser and councillor Paul Jordan nominated councillor Hickman. Following nominations members had to vote for either councillor Hickman or councillor Edwards.

Town clerk announced that councillor Edwards would be the new mayor for 2009/10.

Councillor stood up and addressed the meeting, he said, "Thank you fellow councillors, I am delighted.

"I have been a long time making up my mind, something like 17 years in deciding. I am sure I am going to follow two very distinguished mayors.

"Commiserations to Martin Hickman, you were a good mayor and hopefully you have been succeeded by another good mayor.

"Thanks to those who did or did not vote for me but you're stuck with me for another 12 months."