The new mayor of Diss said he was looking forward to an exciting year ahead for the town and pledged to help the town meet the government's localism agenda.

Graham Minshull was appointed as the town's new mayor on Wednesday to succeed former mayor Mike Bardwell, having served as a Diss town councillor for six years.

During his speech at the town council meeting, he reflected how attitudes to Diss had changed during his time on the council, with people thinking much more positively of the town and what it had to offer than they used to.

Following the meeting, he added: 'We have got a fantastic team of councillors now.

'They are all strong and we have got a really exciting year for us coming up with the carnival and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. I intend to keep a steady hand on the tiller.'