A BUSINESSWOMAN from Brightlingsea has been elected as Tendring Council’s new chairman.

Independent councillor Jayne Chapman, who runs Spirals cards, gifts and stationery in Victoria Place, was elected at a meeting of the council at Clacton Town Hall on Tuesday.

Mrs Chapman is also mayor of Brightlingsea and her consort for the year will be husband Tony, who is deputy mayor of the Cinque Port Liberty.

They are the first couple to hold the dual positions simultaneously.

Conservative councillor Mark Platt, who represents the Hamford ward, was elected as vice-chairman.

Outgoing chairman Fred Nicholls said it had been a privilege to represent Tendring at more than 130 events over the past year.

Over the year he raised £4,000 for his chosen charity, the Harwich Mayflower Project.

“I would like to thank all those who supported me and the charity events throughout the year,” he said.

“It’s been an honour and a privilege to represent Tendring.”