FOR THE last year he has greeted the Queen, met countless community minded volunteers and dined with fellow civic dignitaries.And as a thank you to being chairman of Norfolk County Council Michael Carttiss invited some of the great and the good of the county to attend his farewell at Yarmouth's St Nicholas Church yesterday.

FOR THE last year he has greeted the Queen, met countless community minded volunteers and dined with fellow civic dignitaries.

And as a thank you to being chairman of Norfolk County Council Michael Carttiss invited some of the great and the good of the county to attend his farewell at Yarmouth's St Nicholas Church yesterday.

The service of thanksgiving ceremony, which also included a buffet lunch at the Priory, was the first of its kind to be held in Norfolk for many years.

Mr Carttiss also organised the event to promote Yarmouth's 800th anniversary celebrations of the granting of King John's market charter and to show how the town has changed for the better in the last few years.

The former MP for Yarmouth, said: “I have attended many events across Norfolk and just thought it would be good idea to have the opportunity to return the favour to the many people I have met in my duties.

“I have enjoyed my year as chairman. The highlights include meeting the Queen in King's Lynn and getting involved with so many voluntary organisations and charities.

“It is amazing how much time people put into helping others and I am very proud that Norfolk has that great tradition.”

Guests invited to the ceremony included sheriff of Norwich Nick Williams, chairman of Breckland District Council Peter Francis, the mayors of Yarmouth, King's Lynn and Downham Market and Sue Arnold, the chairman of North Norfolk District Council.

The thanks giving service was conducted by Canon Michael Woods, rector of St Nicholas church.