WEYMOUTH and Portland has a new mayor - and he has promised to “speak up for the borough at every possible opportunity”.

Cllr Kevin Brookes was sworn in as mayor at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s mayor making ceremony on Thursday night.

The ceremony, which took place at the Ocean Room at Weymouth Pavilion, began with outgoing mayor, Cllr Richard Kosior, leading a civic procession, followed by the national anthem.

Cllr Kosior presented the Ken Issacs Rose Bowl to South West Dorset Talking Newspaper (SWDTN) before he handed the robes to Cllr Brookes.

Cllr John Ellis nominated Cllr Brookes, saying he “has found him to be a man of honesty integrity” before the newly-elected mayor addressed the room.

He thanked Cllr Kosior and the mayoress, Caroline Churchill, for their “excellent teamwork and enthusiasm” in their roles before pledging to “perform the duties bestowed on me to the very best of my abilities at all times, and dedicate all my efforts to the role for the benefit of all residents of Weymouth and Portland.”

He said: “I also look forward to helping promote Weymouth and Portland as a first-class all-year-round tourist destination and l will continue to speak up for the borough at every possible opportunity. We are very lucky to live in such a stunning location as this and sometimes we all need to be reminded of it.”

Cllr Brookes announced his charities for the years as New-Man Prostate Cancer Support and GO Girls Support Group – both Dorset-based support groups for people with cancer.

The Decadettes provide the musical entertainment during the evening.

Born and raised in South Yorkshire, Cllr Brookes left school aged 15 and joined the Army, training as a bandsman. After attending the Royal Military School of Music, he later joined the 1st Battalion Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire in Cyprus in October 1971.

Postings to Northern Ireland, Dover, West Germany and Bulford then followed.

In 1979 he transferred to the Royal Military Police and again served in Germany, Hong Kong and Catterick.

He later joined the Prison Service and worked at Ashford Remand Centre, Feltham YOI and finally at Portland YOI.

His 18-year prison service career ended after being attacked and injured while on duty in 2001 at the Portland jail.

The ward member for Upwey & Broadwey has served as a councillor for a total of 10 years.

He was first elected in 2000 for the Preston ward, in 2004 for Wey Valley ward and for the Upwey & Broadwey ward in 2014.

Cllr Brookes has asked the Rev Philip Elliott to stay on as the mayor’s chaplain for the coming year.

Deputy Mayor for 2017/18 is Cllr Gill Taylor.