A WINCHESTER city council stalwart has become the first citizen of the district after serving the people of Alresford for 13 years.

Grandfather of four Councillor Ernie Jeffs was voted in as the city's new Mayor at the grand ceremony at the Guildhall.

He described it as a “great honour” to be given the chains and ring of office, and takes over from the previous Mayor, Cllr Frank Pearson.

“I have done the apprenticeship,” he said as he looked forward to taking on the role with his wife Barbara as Mayoress.

“Fifteen months ago I started on this mayoral journey, it seems like only yesterday.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be the 814th mayor of Winchester and to serve the district. Thank you for giving me this opportunity,” he said.

His three chosen charities for the next year are Hounds for Heroes, the Countess Mountbatten Hospice, the scouts and guides for Winchester and a community pot for Alresford.

An expert in electronics and radio communications he has spent much of his career in the defence industry.

A keen cyclist and his proposer Leader of the Council, Keith Wood joked “we have high hopes of him competing in the Tour De Winchester in August this year, robes and chain flowing in the slipstream - the Sky Team need to watch out.”

It was three times a charm for Cllr Eileen Berry who was voted as Deputy Mayor and will be joined by her consort Shaun James.

Standing down as Mayor, Cllr Frank Pearson said: “To be Mayor of Winchester is a huge honour in itself. To be the mayor during a Diamond Jubilee, Olympic and Paralympic Games year is beyond most people's wildest dreams - mine especially.”

He added: “Before I hand over the responsibilities to the incoming Mayor, I must pay tribute to the hundreds, if not thousands of volunteers, who make this city and this country tick.

“Every organisation is people by those who generously give up their time without any thought or wish for thanks or praise. On behalf of the city, thanks to them all.”

Cllr Victoria Weston said: “Frank and Ann [the former Mayoress] have regarded each of these roles as a huge privilege but I fell that the privilege has been ours, indeed the city's.”