West Norfolk's new mayor said engaging with businesses would be one of his main priorities.

Nick Daubney will be formally nominated as mayor and chairman of West Norfolk council at a ceremony on May 10.

He replaces Carol Bower, who he said would be 'a difficult act to follow'.

He said: 'I think the mayor is in a unique position to engage with communities. A lot of my priority will be to engage with the business community, making businesses aware of what the council can do for them.

'I almost think the council needs to re-engage, there's a bit of a danger the council can become remote from the community it serves.' Mr Daubney, 67, was born in Holbeach. He moved to West Norfolk in 1981 and was elected onto the council in 1999.

He was elected as leader in 2007, a position he held until he retired two years ago.

Mr Daubney has also served as president of the King's Lynn Rotary Club and the West Norfolk Business and Professional Club. He also chaired Festival Too, an organisation he has been a committee member of since 1986. He has been a long-term member of the chamber of commerce, and served on the West Norfolk Chamber council.

He also applied for and developed King's Lynn's membership of the Hanseatic League. The town joined in 2006 and Mr Daubney has served as the English Commissioner to the league since that time.

He worked for the David Brown Corporation after leaving school, becoming its sales promotions manager until moving to King's Lynn to join his father in business.

Mr Daubney then developed a local personal finance company into one of the UK's largest independent brokers.

Mr Daubney will be supported in his new role by his wife Cheryl. He has chosen the Purfleet Trust and Night Shelter as the mayor's charities for the year.

Geoff Hipperson and his wife Rose have been nominated as deputy mayor and deputy mayoress. Now semi-retired, Mr Hipperson previously worked in a local farming partnership.

As well as family commitments and farming, he has been involved in organisations including Downham Market Young Farmers, secretary of the Pelicans Hockey Club, a parish councillor and school governor.