LONG-standing councillor Theresa Higgins has become the new mayor of Colchester.

The Lib Dem, who has represented New Town for 16 years, took up the post yesterday, during a formal ceremony replacing outgoing mayor, Conservative John Elliott.

Labour’s Julie Young was also appointed as her deputy.

Mrs Higgins, 59, has nominated six charities she plans to raise money for in the next year and the keen runner revealed she has already entered the ballot for next year’s London Marathon in a bid to raise as much cash as possible.

She said: “It is a great honour and I have received fantastic support for friends and actually from my ward residents as well.

“I have made no secret of my desire to be mayor and I am proud today.”

The former teacher at Thomas, Lord Audley, Stanway, and the Colne Community schools added: “I hope to raise as much money as possible for my charities.

“There are so many to choose from, but I have chosen ones which will help local people.”

Over the year, she will raise money for the Colchester Sea Cadets, Stepping Stones Play and Learning, Nurture Dogs, Phoenix Swimming Club, Colchester YMCA and Colchester and Tendring Deaf Children's Society.

The Chelsea football fan also sought to move on from a brief controversy which enveloped the mayoral role in 2013, which sawMrs Higgins put up against Mrs Young, who has served one year longer as a councillor.

Mrs Higgins said: “In the past, it has gone to the longest serving councillor if you wanted it.

“For a long time Labour did not want to take their turn. But Julie Young will be my deputy, which is great and I wish her good luck.”

Should Mrs Young be re-elected next year during the borough council elections, she will become the first Labour mayor since Mary Frank in 1992.

During the ceremony, Mrs Higgins received widespread praise from all parties, including from Conservative group leader Dennis Willetts, who called her a “good egg”.

Mrs Higgins is Colchester's 482nd mayor and the 14th female mayor.