A new Mayor for Portland has been selected via a virtual meeting on Zoom.

Cllr Sandy West was chosen by her peers by a show of hands on the video conference platform, replacing Cllr Susan Cocking who has represented the town council over the last year.

Looking back over her year as mayor, Cllr Cocking said: "I felt very honoured and privileged to be voted as mayor last year, I was a little bit apprehensive beforehand, however I enjoyed every minute of it and that’s a testament to our great community on Portland.

"The generosity of the community during my time as mayor was amazing which meant that we raised nearly £4,000 for my mayor’s charity Opportunities R Un Limited.

"I have mentioned community a lot in my time as Mayor and to me that’s what it is all about.We have a fantastic community in lots of different ways on Portland that work together through the good and bad times, and the present pandemic just shows how much we all want to help and support each other whether it's shopping, collecting prescriptions, or supporting local businesses on Portland.

"Thank you to everyone who supported the charity and especially to those who are working tireless in whatever role you have at this present time."

In her year as Mayor, Cllr Cocking held a charity music festival for her chosen charity, led the Remembrance service alongside her seven-year-old grandson Archie and played a vital role in setting up the isle's first Youth Town Council with students from Atlantic Academy Portland.

Her successor, Cllr Sandra West, has been a member of the town council for 18 years and this is the third time she has served as Mayor.

She said: "I am delighted to once again to take up the role as Mayor. It is an honour and a privilege to serve the people of Portland and, I am proud to come after so many distinguished former Mayors.

"Normally the Mayor would attend both local and civic events and support other Mayors on their civic days. Of course with lockdown this is not possible at the moment but I am looking forward to better days.

"I would like to thank Cllr Cocking the former Mayor for the great job she did in 2019-20 and pay tribute to our amazing council staff and fellow councillors, who have done such a great job keeping the council running under these extremely difficult times."

Her Mayor's charities will be Portland Coastwatch and Portland Sea Cadet Unit.