Thetford's youngest mayor in its 800 year history has promised to make his time in the hotseat a 'year for young people'.

At 30-years-old, Terry Jermy is the youngest mayor on record since Thetford's mayoralty was launched in 1199.

His mayor-making ceremony at the town's Guildhall on Tuesday night saw him take over the position from previous incumbent, Robert Kybird.

And Mr Jermy said he wanted to inspire the town's younger generation by setting up a network of ambassadors who had prospered after growing up in the town.

Among the names confirmed are business people, musicians and athletes, with plans for the ambassadors to visit schools, youth groups and other functions and talk to young people about their success.

'Being someone who grew up in Thetford, I was always told I wouldn't make anything of my life,' Mr Jermy said.

'When I went to college in Norwich, other people there didn't think much of you if you were from Thetford.

'I think that still has an impact and I want to give examples of people from the town who have achieved something, to show young people here that it can be done.'

Mr Jermy said he hoped the initiative could help 'raise aspirations' of young people in Thetford, including encouraging them to go to university or start their own business.

'We're in a very rural area and there's a lot of relative deprivation here, and I don't think young people always see role models around them in the community.

'But they are just as capable of achieving things as anyone else, they just need the confidence and the knowledge to do it,' he said.

Among those confirmed as ambassadors for the year-long scheme are musicians Franko Fraize and Tone, footballer Ian Henderson, and Times editor Andrew Fitchett.

Mr Fitchett said: 'I am honoured to be named as an ambassador and look forward to working with the town's youngest mayor.'

Mr Kybird has been mayor of Thetford twice, having previously served 2007-08 as well as the last 12 months.

In his year of office Mr Kybird supported two locally represented charities, Age UK Norfolk and Rethink.

What do you think of Mr Jermy's ambassadors network initiative to inspire young people in Thetford? Let us know by emailing andrew.fitchett@archant.co.uk