LONG-SERVING councillor Julie Young has been confirmed as the new mayor of Colchester.

The Greenstead member, who has served on the council since 1998, became the borough's first Labour mayor for 24 years at a formal ceremony at the Town Hall yesterday, replacing Lib Dem Theresa Higgins.

Highwoods Independent group leader Gerard Oxford was confirmed as the deputy mayor.

Mrs Young, whose husband and fellow Labour councillor Tim Young will serve as her escort through the year, reiterated her pride at taking on the honourary position, and confirmed her theme as Making Changes.

She said: "I am absolutely bowled over by the number of people who have attended today.

"Seeing my constituents walk up the stairs of the town hall brings a tear to my eye.

"I am beginning to wonder how on earth this has happened to me? How did little old me get the job as Colchester's first citizen?

"I intend to give this role my very best shot to make both my family and the people of Colchester proud.

"I want to open the town hall doors open wide and offer opportunities to people not usually affected by the mayoralty."

Tributes to Mrs Young flooded in from across the council chamber as fellow Labour councillor Cyril Liddy described her as a leader of her community, Lib Dem Annie Feltham praised her longevity as a borough and county councillor and a school governor while Conservative Nigel Chapman said hers was a voice he listened to in meetings.

Tributes were also paid to outgoing mayor Theresa Higgins, who has taken on the role of Liberal Democrats group leader for the next municipal year, and she said she had enjoyed her time in the post.

"I have had the most wonderful time and I would like to thank everybody for their support," she said.

"I have completed many of the challenges I have set myself, and I would like to thank the people from each of my charities for their help."

At the annual meeting of Colchester Council, the cabinet positions were formalised along with the makeup of all of the council's committees.

Thanks were also paid to councillors who have left their seats in the last 12 months.