Norwich's new Lord Mayor and Sheriff have taken on their civic roles and pledged their year in office will celebrate the city's centuries-long tradition of welcoming 'strangers'.

Eastern Daily Press: The new Lord Mayor and Shriff of Norwich are sworn in at a ceremony at City Hall in Norwich. Cllr David Fullman becomes Mayor (black robes) and Cllr David Walker becomes Sheriff (purple robes)The new Lord Mayor and Shriff of Norwich are sworn in at a ceremony at City Hall in Norwich. Cllr David Fullman becomes Mayor (black robes) and Cllr David Walker becomes Sheriff (purple robes) (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

Labour city councillor David Fullman, who represents Mancroft, becomes just the third person in the history of the role, which dates back to 1909, to become Lord Mayor for a second time. He previously held the position in 1989-1990.

Eastern Daily Press: The new Lord Mayor and Shriff of Norwich are sworn in at a ceremony at City Hall in Norwich. Cllr David Fullman becomes Mayor (black robes) and Cllr David Walker becomes Sheriff (purple robes)The new Lord Mayor and Shriff of Norwich are sworn in at a ceremony at City Hall in Norwich. Cllr David Fullman becomes Mayor (black robes) and Cllr David Walker becomes Sheriff (purple robes) (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

The new Sheriff is David Walker, formerly the clerk to Norwich Charitable Trusts, made up of three charities which help people in financial need.

Eastern Daily Press: The new Lord Mayor and Shriff of Norwich are sworn in at a ceremony at City Hall in Norwich. The outgoing Mayor Cllr Marion Maxwell.The new Lord Mayor and Shriff of Norwich are sworn in at a ceremony at City Hall in Norwich. The outgoing Mayor Cllr Marion Maxwell. (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

And the duo have decided the theme for their civic year will be 'Norwich - the welcoming city', in recognition of how the city has long welcomed refugees and immigrants.

Mr Fullman said; 'Norwich has a proud history of welcoming people, dating back many centuries.

'It is because Norwich welcomes people and gives them a safe haven that our city is so rich and vibrant today.

'I arrived in Norwich many years ago and have felt part of the city for a long time now.

'Both David and I want to celebrate that feeling of living in a welcoming city during our year in office.'

Their chosen civic charity, which they will raise money for during the year, is the Norwich Integration Partnership, which comprises of New Routes, English Plus and The Bridge Plus+.

The three organisations offer services to people from ethnic minority communities, seeking to address the disadvantages and challenges faced by recently settled migrants with complex needs.

Norwich recently welcomed 50 refugees fleeing the civil war in Syria and, in the 16th century welcomed Protest refugees from the Spanish Netherlands, who were known as the Strangers.

Dee Robinson, projects co-ordinator for New Routes, said: 'Norwich Integration Partnership is honoured and grateful to have been selected as 2017-18 civic charity; in recognition of the vital work that we do in supporting Norwich's migrant communities, enabling their engagement as informed and welcomed citizens.'

As a mark of respect for those killed and injured in Manchester on Monday night, the City Hall ceremony started with a minute's silence.