THE Trussell Trust will be the mayoral appeal for the year ahead, after Councillor Jeremy Nettle was officially sworn in as the 744th Mayor of New Sarum on Saturday.

Accepting the role at a meeting of the city's Charter Trustees in St Thomas's Church, Mr Nettle said becoming Salisbury's mayor was "an honour and a privilege".

"I had to keep pinching myself this morning to believe this was happening," he said.

"Being here today captures tradition, democracy, fate and the power of the electorate, and to the people of St Mark and Stratford ward, I should like to say thank you."

The father of four daughters lived in Denmark and Manchester before moving to Salisbury 20 years ago.

"We have lived and breathed Salisbury," he said. "It is a wonderful place."

After signing the declaration before an audience that included Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire General Sir Maurice Johnston, the High Sheriff of Wiltshire Lt Cmdr James Arkell, mayor Barrie Tilghman and representatives from Salisbury in Maryland, USA, as well as delegates from twin town Saintes in France, the new mayor announced his appeal.

"I wanted an appeal that would help young and old alike," he said.

"I was shocked to learn Salisbury has three wards among the poorest 25 per cent in England and Wales - one in four rely on benefits.

"This is England in the 21st Century and people here are going hungry every day.

"There to help people in times of crisis is the Trussell Trust, which, through its food bank, collects items with a long shelf life and takes parcels to fill the gap when people are in need.

"I hope this appeal can give them a secure foundation to help our poorest and most deprived.

"It will be known as 'Is your neighbour going to bed hungry?'."

Salisbury's deputy mayor is Patrick Paisey, while the Reverend John Birchall, of St Paul's Church, will be the mayor's chaplain, and Mr Nettle's wife Sue is mayoress and will attend many functions and events.

The new mayor paid tribute to his predecessor, Bobbie Chettleburgh, describing her as "a hard act to follow".

In her outgoing speech, Mrs Chettleburgh, whose own appeal raised £21,640 for a book of remembrance in St Thomas's Church, said: "So many doors have opened for me in the last year."

Paying tribute to the achievements of Salisbury's schoolchildren, teams of volunteers and hard-working residents, she added: "I want to thank everybody.

"The highlight for me was a year ago, when I became the Mayor of New Sarum, and we stepped on this magic carpet.

"Today, we come in to land."