TV crews from Malaysia and Hong Kong were on hand to film Colchester councillor Helen Chuah as she became the town’s first foreign-born mayor.

Mrs Chuah received the badge and chain of office, watched by more than 200 friends, relatives and fellow councillors in the Moot Hall yesterday.

The Lib Dem councillor, who represents St Anne’s ward, moved to Colchester from the Malaysian island of Penang in in 1971.

She was filmed by crews from Malaysia TV and the Hong Kong-based Chinese Channel.

She told those at the ceremony, including her partner Mike Hogg, who is also a councillor and served as mayor a decade ago, she hoped the international attention would bring benefits to Colchester.

She added: “I am truly overwhelmed by the support you have shown me today.

“I know my election as mayor has attracted a lot of interest both here and abroad. I hope this will raise the profile of Colchester further afield, and attract more visitors to this ancient borough.

“As mayor, I want to work with all in the community for the benefit of Colchester. It is those people who have embraced me and made this ceremony possible.”

After addressing the meeting in English, Mrs Chuah, a former psychiatric nurse at Severalls Hospital, Colchester, made a brief speech in her native Malay language.

She later announced during her mayoral year, she planned to host events in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund, Colchester Carers Centre, Colchester Samaritans, Phoenix Homes Colchester, Colchester Scouts Band, the Essex Foundation Trust and a hospice and children’s home in Penang.

Mrs Chuah takes over from fellow councillor Sonia Lewis.

Long-serving Conservative councillor Christopher Arnold is the town’s new deputy mayor for the coming year and will then be in line to become mayor himself in May 2012.