A TOWN'S new mayor has been doing his bit to help people fight against Covid-19 by handing out free face masks.

Maldon mayor Abdul Hafiz and deputy David Ogg were outside the town's historic Moot Hall in full regalia to give away masks to the public last week.

The move came after wearing face coverings became mandatory in shops 24 hours earlier in a bid to prevent the disease spreading.

Mr Hafiz said: "We are living through testing times, as Covid-19 challenges all of us and our way of life.

"We were fully robed and stood under the portico of the historic Moot Hall, which is the traditional office of the town mayor.

"We were helped by some of our fellow councillors, Andrew Lay, Lillian Dowling and Martin Harvey, and were even joined by our MP, John Whittingdale.

"The feedback was terrific. All in all, it was a good way to start things off."

Mr Hafiz Hafiz said he wants his term in office to be "a time of support".