Norwich's new lord mayor and sheriff have taken up their offices. Roy Blower was elected to the position of lord mayor taking his chains from the outgoing Felicity Hartley.

Norwich's new lord mayor and sheriff have taken up their offices.

Roy Blower was elected to the position of lord mayor taking his chains from the outgoing Felicity Hartley. Nick Williams becomes the sheriff, taking over from John Drake.

Mr Blowers said: “I am a Norwich man born and bred. I was educated within one mile of the city hall and am proud of the city. This has to be one of the best moments of my life.”

The lord mayor and sheriff also revealed their charities for the coming year will be the Norfolk Heart Trust Balloons4Hearts appeal, which aims to raise £1m for a new specialist angioplasty theatre at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, and the St Martin's Housing Trust, which provides accommodation for the homeless.

Both Mr Blower and Mr Williams praised the work of their predecessors who attended more than 700 engagements over the past year between them. They raised more than £2,000 for road safety charity Brake.

Mrs Hartley said: “It does not seem like two minutes since I took office. The past year has been great fun and it has been an honour.”

After the mayor-making ceremony at city hall there was procession with Whifflers and the town crier to Norwich Castle. In the evening guests joined the lord mayor and the sheriff to celebrate.