A TEARFUL councillor is set to realise her mayoral dreams after retaining her seat on Colchester Council.

Lesley Scott-Boutell is now gearing up to become the city’s deputy mayor after fighting off the competition to keep her Stanway seat.

Wiping away tears of happiness, she said: “I am absolutely elated; really, really happy.

“It has been an absolute privilege to work with the Stanway community.

“I have been doing it for 20 years and the contacts and conversations you have over that time is just awesome and I am so privileged to have that. I really enjoy it.

“It is thanks to the people of Stanway for returning me that I can now look forward to becoming the deputy mayor.”

The Stanway veteran will succeed John Jowers in the role as he ascends to the role of mayor.

It follows Greenstead councillor Tim Young’s eventful reign in the civic hot seat alongside mayoress Nicola Goodchild.

Mrs Scott-Boutell kept her seat on the council with relative ease, securing 1,375 votes.

It put her more than 600 votes of nearest rival Janice Seabrook (Con).