The new mayor of Westbury has spoken up for strong women after two women were nominated for the roles of mayor and mayor’s deputy for the first time in the town council’s history.

Cllrs Sue Ezra and Christine Mitchell were appointed as mayor and mayor’s deputy at the Town Council’s annual general meeting last week.

Cllr Ezra is the widow of the late Peter Ezra, also a town councillor who died in September last year, and was deputy to Mike Hawkins last term. She said: “I was going to say girl power but I think I’m a bit old for that.

“Christine will be there to back me up and I think she will be a great asset to me. I think it’s a refreshing combination.

“I’ve got to say that I find it a great honour to be chosen. I’ve only been a councillor for two years so they must appreciate what I’ve done.”

The councillor, who moved to Westbury from Bucking-hamshire 26 years ago, ran The Ham post office between 1983 and 1986, and then ran Sue’s Taxis in the town between 1993 and 2003.

The mayor, who now manages Tilecentre Trowbridge Ltd, in Union Street, Trowbridge, is expecting her term to be an important one in the town’s history.

She added: “I hope during my term of office that things for the town will come to fruition like the new doctors surgery and whether or not we have a bypass.

“I’m looking forward and hoping that the improvements to Market Place and Maristow Street will encourage new business into the town. I’m hoping that I can help to improve the shopping centre, leisure facilities, and transport links.

“Things like the post office and doctors surgery are quite sensitive until people have signed on the dotted line. The community will have to be patient but I can assure everyone that the town council is working on these issues.”

Cllr Mitchell is in her second term as a town councillor and sits on a number of groups, including the Five Town’s Working Group, which was influential in the improvements to Market Place. She is proud to be part of the all-woman team, and said: “I have to be honest I hadn’t thought about it until someone mentioned it to me.

“I feel very proud, we’ve set a precedent now.

“When I was nominated I was a bit nervous because it’s unknown territory for me, but now I feel very honoured because I’ve got the faith of the town council.”

*Cllr Isabel Martindale was elected the new mayor of Bradford on Avon at the town council’s annual meeting on Tuesday night, Former mayor Cllr Paul Skidmore has been appointed deputy mayor.

*Corsham Town Council reappointed Cllr Allan Bosley as chairman for the coming term at its annual meeting on Monday night. Cllr Elaine Marston was elected vice-chairman.

*Warminster and Melksham will elect their respective mayors on Monday night, and the new mayor of Trowbridge will be decided on Tuesday.