A man who attended his first council event as a toddler has become the latest mayor of Norwich, with his mother being made his deputy. 

James Wright, the leader of the Liberal Democrats at City Hall, took on the top civic role at a mayor-making ceremony on Tuesday.  

It was the first proper ceremony to be held by Norwich City Council in four years after the coronavirus pandemic meant previous events were scaled back.  

Eastern Daily Press: Jan Sheldon and James WrightJan Sheldon and James Wright (Image: Norwich City Council)

Mr Wright, a Norwich native, has worked in a variety of IT roles, including for the BBC.  

He now runs his own business providing services for charities and Norfolk primary schools. 

He is the son of fellow Lib Dem councillor Caroline Ackroyd, who brought him to his first Lord Mayor's procession while he was a toddler.  

He replaces Dr Kevin Maguire, who has been mayor for two terms.  

At the same time, Dr Jan Sheldon, chief executive officer of homeless charity St Martins Housing Trust, took up the role of sheriff. Ms Ackroyd was made deputy Lord Mayor at the same ceremony. 

The pair announced that the Norfolk Community Foundation, which aims to tackle hunger in the county, will be the civic charity for 2023-24.