THE new Mayor of Wilton, Ivan Seviour, has outlined his priorities for the town in the year ahead.

The future of the Wilton Middle School site, the state of the town's roads and keeping residents informed about how their council tax is being spent are just some of the challenges facing the town council, said Mr Seviour, after he was sworn-in on Tuesday last week.

The father-of-two was born in Somerset and has spent 31 years working in education.

He moved to Wilton 13 years ago and teaches at Avon Middle School, Salisbury - one of three schools that will close at the end of the summer term.

Mr Seviour told the meeting: "After teaching in middle schools, I can say how sad it is that they are closing in Wiltshire. But we have to work with the county council.

"We are hoping that, over the next 18 months, there will be a number of user groups moving into Wilton Middle School.

"This will include the John Ivie centre, which I know has concerned some residents, but we must make sure people get more information.

"We have been keen to retain the use of the community facilities and will continue to make sure that happens."

Mr Seviour also told councillors that the council would monitor the success of park-and-ride and see what benefits and opportunities it brought to Wilton.

And he said he would keep up the pressure to ensure long-awaited roadworks were carried out.

"There are residents in Shaftesbury Road who have been waiting for resurfacing work - we have to make sure it happens," he said.

Cllr Seviour said he was looking forward to working with Wilton residents to raise the profile of the council and promote their work.

This year's mayoral appeal will be raising money for the town's Brownies and Guides.

The deputy mayor is Councillor Trevor Batchelder.

Mr Seviour's wife, Jane, is mayoress and his daughters, Ceri (20) and Joanne (17), were also at Tuesday's ceremony.

Outgoing mayor Keith Male wished his successor luck and said it had been an honour to serve the town.

Mr Male has agreed to stay on the council, despite planning to resign. His appeal for Wilton Scouts raised £1,520, which will go towards the refurbishment of the Scout hut.