Witham's new mayor hopes to help provide support for the town’s youngsters after her own dad died when she was just two.

Grandmother Janet Money, who has been a Braintree councillor for eight years and was appointed mayor for the second time this month, hopes to draw on her own life experiences for her mayoral year.

One of her selected charities for the year is Renew, which aims to help youngsters aged 11 to 19, who feel isolated or excluded through mental health or personal difficulties.

The 76-year-old said: “The charity is very dear to me as it is important that youngsters find their way in life."

See this week's Witham Times for the full story.