BRENTWOOD has elected Councillor Noelle Hones as the new town mayor.

The mum-of-three was officially elected as the town's 25th mayor in front of councillors, her friends and family, at the Annual Council meeting at the Town Hall last night.

Councillor Hones, whose husband Jon Cloke will be her consort, said: "It is a great honour to have been elected as the Mayor of Brentwood for 2016/17.

"There is a wonderful sense of community in Brentwood and both myself and my husband Jon are particularly looking forward to meeting the unsung heroes of the voluntary sector and those that represent the Armed Services.

"My chosen charities reflect two things that are dear to my heart - children and animals, and so I am delighted to be supporting the following three charities:

Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary, Georgia's Teenage Cancer Appeal and Christy Hall Charitable Trust, the headquarters of the local Scouts, Guides, Cubs, Beavers and Brownies.

"I very much look forward to raising funds and awareness of these worthy causes."

Councillor Hones replaces Councillor Mark Reed who held the role last year and raised £9,700 for his chosen charities Special Needs and Parents and Brentwood Philharmonic Orchestra as well as making a donation to the Brentwood Skatepark Association.

Councillor Hones, the youngest of five children, was born and brought up in Basildon and left school aged 16 to work in London for JP Morgan Bank.

After 12 years at the firm she rose to the position of Assistant Vice President heading the Administrative Support Team before leaving to start a family.

She lived in New York with her family for several years before they returned to Fryerning and she now lives in Ingatestone with her husband.

Councillor Hones was elected to Brentwood Borough Council to represent Ingatestone, Fryerning and Mountnessing in 2007.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Louise McKinlay, said: "I would like to welcome Councillor Noelle Hones as the new Mayor of Brentwood. She has been a passionate advocate of her ward Ingatestone, Fryerning and Mountnessing and I know she will bring that same enthusiasm to her role. I know she will be an excellent ambassador for Brentwood."

Councillor Will Russell, ward member for Brentwood West, was appointed as Deputy Mayor for 2016/17. His wife Naomi will be his consort.