CANVEY has appointed its very first mayor.

Martin Tucker, who will take on the prestigious role over the next 12 months, said he is excited to represent the island at a host of events.

The decision was made by Canvey Town Council during a meeting on Monday night, where the authority decided to start operating under mayoral control.

The council was previously chairman led.

Former borough councillor Mr Tucker told the Echo mayoral duties are in his genes, although they do not differ from those of council chairman.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted with this, to be the first mayor in Canvey’s history means a lot to me.

“Not just because of the role itself, but also because my father was the last mayor of Poplar before it became Tower Hamlets.

“It’s as though everything has come full circle, I feel very proud and I am looking forward to starting. There is no real difference in the role of the chairman and a mayor. But I think it will highlight the town council more and all that it does for the island.

“The other thing to make clear is that the council won’t be spending money on a new mayoral chain, we’ll just be adjusting the town council chain.”

He was chosen for the role after serving as the council's deputy chairman last year.

The idea to introduce a mayoral role for the island was first introduced by Dave Blackwell, a fellow town councillor.

It comes a week after Castle Point Council handed the mayoral chain to Steven Cole, Tory councillor for St George’s.

Peter Greig, the outgoing chairman of the town council, has welcomed the move.

He believes the role will promote Canvey and give the island greater exposure.

He said: “When there’s a chairman I don’t think people recognise it as much, whereas having our own mayor will make people sit up and take more notice.

“I believe it will help to promote Canvey more, and to have a face representing us at different events. The other thing to make clear is that this is non-political, as the mayor can’t sit on any of the town council’s committees.

“The borough council has a mayor, and the town council having one will put us on a par with them.

“It would be great to have the Castle Point and Canvey’s mayors attending the same functions.”