Abergavenny's new mayor is 37-year-old Sam Dodd, who works as a sales advisor at the local branch of the NFU Mutual.

Sam, who was both nominated and elected as mayor at a meeting of the town council last week, says she's thrilled to be taking on the office - and following in her father's footsteps.

"I'm looking forward to it very much and extremely excited. It still seems like a dream.

"Normally the mayor would be nominated in early February and not take on the role until May. With the elections, it's all been a bit of a whirlwind. "

Her seven-year-old daughter Megan is equally excited. "She's been like a bottle of pop all week!"

Sam's mother, Margaret, will take on the role of mayoress, for the second time in her life.

Sam's father Richard Dodd was mayor in 1984-85.

"I was just nine at the time. I never imagined that one day I'd be following in his footsteps.

"My father died suddenly in 2000 so all this is a bit of an emotional roller coaster for us.

"I'm sure my mother will give me invaluable advice during my year in office."

Although Sam's been actively involved with the Conservative party for years she is only in her second term as a town councillor - representing Cantref Ward.

Sam attended Our Lady and St Michael's Primary School and King Henry VIII School before studying travel and tourism at Pontypool College. She was a Beaver Scout leader in the town for 13 years.

"I'm really looking forward to representing Abergavenny and getting to meet as many people as possible," she said.

"It's such a great year to hold the office too, with so many major events going on, like the Olympic torch passing through the town and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations."

The official installation ceremony will take place on June 11 at the Borough Theatre.