Former Dereham mayor Kate Millbank has been elected as the new chairman of Breckland Council and said she hoped to do the job 'with dignity and glamour.'

At Breckland Council's annual meeting on Thursday, Ms Millbank was presented with the chain of office by outgoing chairman Bill Borrett.

Elected to Breckland Council in 2007, Ms Millbank represents the Dereham Toftwood ward and has previously chaired the council's general purposes committee and served on the licensing committee.

She was Dereham mayor in 2013.

Ms Millbank said: 'The chairman's duties often involve opportunities to do things that few get a chance to, so I am looking forward to going to lots of interesting places and meeting a range of people across the district.

'I am slightly apprehensive of chairing the full council meetings, as some of them are very complex, but I know I will have the support of officers and my fellow councillors.'

Ms Millbank will use her time in office to support Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, after the disease claimed the life of a friend.

She said: 'Pulmonary Idiopathic Fibrosis is a slow, painful and frightening disease and I hope with enough funding some form of treatment and possibly even a cure can be found.'

Mr Borrett presented a cheque for £3,460.93 to Kevin Pellatt from armed forces charity SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Families), which was his chosen charity during his chairmanship.

The charity provides support to the armed forces, both regular and reserves, veterans and their families for as long as they need it.

Mr Borrett said: 'It has been a privilege to represent Breckland and meet so many of its remarkable residents. I am delighted that we have managed to raise so much towards this deserving charity.'

Councillor Richard Duffield, who represents the Lincoln ward, has been appointed vice chairman.