MALDON’S newly-elected mayor has vowed to spend his year in office raising the profile of the town.

Richard Miller was appointed the town’s 207th mayor at Maldon Town Council’s annual meeting last week.

Mr Miller, 50, who was deputy mayor last year, takes over from Mark Heard.

Born in Ipswich, Mr Miller moved to Maldon 16 years ago when he served as community policing sergeant for the district.

He retired from the force in 2014 after ending his 30 years’ service in Thurrock.

He said: “It is a great honour. I wasn’t born in the town but it has become my adopted town.

“It always has so much going on and it has been lovely to have been involved in lots of different things over the years.

“I have moved around Essex a little bit for work and when I was posted to Maldon I loved the place and decided to come and live here. I can’t really see myself moving away as it is such a lovely place.

“Now I have the opportunity to be mayor and continue to support organisations [in the town].”

Mr Miller was co-opted to the council in late 2014 and elected in 2015.

Prior to his appointment, he held the ceremoni- al role of being the mace bearer for the town.

His chosen charities for this year are Maldon Youth Orchestra, Maldon Rugby Club’s youth pro- gramme, the Moot Hall education project and Maldon and Dengie District Stroke Support Group.

Mr Miller has described his role as an ambassador for the town.

He said: “I am a great believer in tradition. Maldon has these wonderful traditions and I want to do the best I can to enhance these and make them visible to the public. It is the best opportunity I can possibly have to support the local people.

“It is about enjoying what Maldon has to offer, having a bit of fun and making friends.”

Jeanette Stilts was elected as deputy mayor, having previously served as mayoress.