IT’S time to get to work - that’s the message from the newly-elected Mayor of Dawlish.

Cllr Rosie Dawson took over the chain of office from outgoing mayor Cllr Lisa Mayne at the town council’s annual meeting, the first meeting since the local elections.

Cllr Lin Goodman-Bradbury was elected deputy mayor.

In her acceptance speech, Cllr Dawson said: ‘It is with great enthusiasm and passion that I accept the role of Mayor of Dawlish.

‘Thank you to Cllr Mayne for her commitment over the last 12 months and to the mayors before her who I have seen greet this responsibility with creativity and care.

‘I first became interested in the town council after my then toddler daughter became besotted with Cllr Howard Almond then he served at Mayor, thinking he was the King of England.

‘We tracked that poor Mayor down at every event he attended.

‘I hope to have a busy year representing the council and our parish, helping councillors to achieve the best they can for Dawlish and raising both awareness and funds.’

Cllr Dawson’s three charities for the year are in memory of Albina Yevko, a Ukrainian refugee who died earlier this year, Devon Air Ambulance, in memory of Jenny Gibson, Dawlish Museum; and Dawlish Library.

She added: ‘We are very fortunate in Dawlish town council to have support from a great office team and I look forward to working more closely with them over the next year.

‘Let’s get to work.’

One of Cllr Dawson’s escorts for the year is Inna Yevko.