A Martham woman has been elected as the new mayor of the Great Yarmouth borough.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Mary Coleman has been elected as the new mayor of the Great Yarmouth borough. Picture: Jacob MasseyMary Coleman has been elected as the new mayor of the Great Yarmouth borough. Picture: Jacob Massey (Image: Archant)

Conservative Cllr Mary Coleman was officially elected at the annual council meeting on Monday and will take on the ceremonial role for the 2018/2019 municipal year, succeeding Labour’s Cllr Kerry Robinson-Payne, who will become deputy mayor.

Mrs Coleman was elected to the West Flegg ward in 2007 and has previously held the role of deputy mayor and mayoress twice, when her husband Barry held the position.

In her new role as the first citizen of the borough, Mrs Coleman will chair full council meetings, help to raise money for her chosen charities and represent the borough and its people at functions both inside and outside of the area.

Grandmother Mrs Coleman, who is originally from Coventry and spent 18 years teaching a variety of subjects at Flegg High School, said she had never considered the role up until last year, but was honoured to have been chosen.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Mary Coleman has been elected as the new mayor of the Great Yarmouth borough. Picture: Jacob MasseyMary Coleman has been elected as the new mayor of the Great Yarmouth borough. Picture: Jacob Massey (Image: Archant)

She said: “I have lived in the borough for 45 years now and it’s a wonderful honour and opportunity to be chosen by my fellow councillors to represent our great borough and its people in the historic role of mayor.

“I’m looking forward to the air show and events like that, but I’m also looking forward to going back to groups I visited seven years ago when Barry was the mayor.

“The fact that some charities are disappearing is really very sad and I’m looking forward to giving those existing ones a boost really.”

Mrs Coleman’s chosen charities for fundraising during the year are the Great Yarmouth Stroke Association Support Group, where she has volunteered for 13 years, and the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Young Carers.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Mary Coleman has been elected as the new mayor of the Great Yarmouth borough. Picture: Jacob MasseyMary Coleman has been elected as the new mayor of the Great Yarmouth borough. Picture: Jacob Massey (Image: Archant)

Mrs Coleman said: “I’m very excited because it’s a great time for Great Yarmouth as there is a lot going on which people aren’t aware of.

“We have the third river crossing and great things for the port with the offshore wind farms.”

Cllr Coleman added: “I’m also looking forward to publicising Yarmouth to a wider audience.

“We’ve even met people in Acle who wouldn’t come to Yarmouth because of its perception, which is very unfair.

“The first thing a mayor should be is an ambassador for the area and I will certainly do my bit to sell the place.”