A new mayor is hoping to boost health and fitness levels among the town's youth during his year in office.

John Rogers was elected as the new mayor of Watton on Tuesday, taking over the chains of office from Lorraine McCarthy.

The retired policeman, who lives in Carbrooke, has been involved in local government since 1997 when he became a councillor for Norfolk County Council.

He has been a Breckland District Council councillor since 1991 and joined the town council about five years ago.

Mr Rogers, 79, who has two children, David and Tracie, with his wife Betty, said: 'I would like to improve the health of the youth in the Watton area, both boys and girls, by getting them to exercise more than they do now.

'I'm hopeful that the town will have a large area for recreation in my year of office.'

The grandfather-of-three, who also has two great-grandchildren, said he also hoped to improve the employment situation in the town.

'Another wish of mine is for more employment places in the Watton area so as to reduce the time spent by people travelling long distances to work.

'For the employment areas locally we will need the help of Breckland District Council.'

Mr Rogers said he would also press to have all the schools on one side to negate the need for schoolchildren to cross Merton Road, which he says is an 'accident waiting to happen'.

He has chosen to support Help for Heroes and Diabetes UK over the next year.

Mr Rogers, who was deputy major last year, also praised his predecessor Ms McCarthy and her work over the past year. 'I'm most grateful for all the help than Lorraine has given to the people of Watton in her year of office,' he said.

Ken Birch, who lives in Saham Toney, was elected as deputy mayor.