ALLAN Peach was appointed mayor of Amesbury at the town council meeting last week, marking his 27th year in local politics.

Mr Peach, of Holders Road, who is married with two grown-up children, has been a conservative member of Amesbury town council since 1976.

His new role is not an entirely unfamiliar one either, since he was appointed chair of Amesbury town council in 1981 - a position he held for three years - and has been deputy mayor for the past year.

He has also been chairman of Salisbury district council (1986-87) and is currently county and district councillor for Amesbury.

In paying tribute to former mayor Neil Morrison, who decided not to stand in May's election, Mr Peach said: "I would like to thank you for the 27 years you have put into this town.

"You will be very sadly missed."

He added: "I think it's true to say that this town will be the centre of some major developments over the next four years, and I wish to see this town part of those changes.

"It's going to be four years of building, so we shall be in for a lot of flack in some ways, but I think we can work together while they are doing that."

During his year as mayor, Mr Peach has decided to support two local groups - the Stroke Club and the Amesbury Link Scheme - in the town's first mayoral appeal.

"I felt it would be a waste if I didn't achieve something for local charities," said Mr Peach.

"I thought it would be nice to really get the people of Amesbury involved."

He added: "Having seen people suffer with strokes and being a Link driver myself, I think both are very worthwhile causes."

Supporting Mr Peach is deputy mayor Jan Swindlehurst, a civil servant with the ministry of defence.

By becoming deputy mayor, Mrs Swindlehurst, of Kitchener Road, is in line to become Amesbury's first female mayor next year.

She said: "I hope to give the mayor all the support I can and help try and ensure the smooth running of the council.

"I am also trying to think of ways I can help him with his appeal"

The next meeting of Amesbury town council will be held on Tuesday, June 3, at 7.15pm in Antrobus House, Amesbury.