A former Royal Navy warrant officer has been elected as Watton's new mayor and chairman of the town council.

Paul Cooper, who is one of Breckland's longest serving driving instructors, has been a member of Watton Town Council since 2009.

His wife, Maureen, has become the new mayoress of the town.

The couple have two daughters and three grandchildren and currently live in Watton.

Mr Cooper grew up in Saham Toney and went to the village primary school and then Watton Secondary Modern, which he left aged 15.

In that same year he joined the Royal Navy at HMS Ganges, in Suffolk, and started off in the seamanship branch and travelled across the world until he was 20 years old.

He transferred to the Naval Police and spent time with the special investigation branch, before leaving the Royal Navy aged 40.

Mr Cooper said: 'I am very honoured to have been elected town mayor and chairman of Watton Town Council and Maureen and I are looking forward to representing the council and the residents of Watton.'

Major projects over the following year will be upgrading the playground equipment in Lovell Gardens and Bridle Road as well as creating a jubilee garden in Thetford Road.

Mr Cooper's charity of the year will be the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association - Britain's oldest armed forces charity which provides practical help to anyone who is currently serving or who has served in a conflict.

If you would like Mr Cooper to open or attend any of your events contact the town clerk on 01953 881007 or email clerk@wattontowncouncil.gov.uk