With his wife of 37 years by his side, the new mayor of Great Yarmouth is ready for a year of civic dinners, charity fetes, official openings and giving thanks to unsung heroes.

John Burroughs, who was formally adopted as mayor for 2013/14 by Great Yarmouth Borough Council on Monday night, said he and his wife, Jenny, were looking forward to 12 months of official engagements.

And having spent more than 30 years owning and running their own businesses, he said they were not put off by long hours.

'I'm used to working seven days a week and hours have never really mattered,' said Mr Burroughs, a Conservative who was elected on to the borough council in 2005.

Born and raised in Norwich, Mr Burroughs owned independent newsagents before moving into the pub trade.

He and his wife moved to Spain in the 1970s, living and working in the coastal town of L'Estartit on the Costa Brava for almost 20 years before family circumstances called them home.

In 1998, they bought and moved to the Lord Nelson pub in Gorleston where they made friends and became involved in the Haven Rotary Club, which led Mr Burroughs into a life of local politics.

'I'm a great believer in tradition and ceremony we've got in this country and it's fantastic to be part of something so historic,' said Mr Burroughs, who now owns the Apollo Tavern in Yarmouth and considers himself 'semi-retired'.

'We're looking forward to meeting as many groups as we can and holding a few fundraisers.

'I want to support some of the smaller charities. I've heard from hundreds of people during my time with Rotary and it's amazing just how many people are out there in the community doing something for others. You wouldn't know if you walked passed them in the street – they are the unsung heroes.'

Mr Burroughs added he would like people from smaller villages across the borough to contact the mayor's office if they would like him to attend events.

He also appointed the Reverend Albert Cadmore, chaplain of Norwich City FC, as his chaplain for 2013/14.