A new mayor has been elected to serve Lowestoft.

The new mayor and a deputy mayor were elected at the annual general meeting of Lowestoft Town Council earlier this month.

Held as a video conferencing meeting via Zoom on May 12, the meeting saw councillor Alan Green elected as chairman of the council and mayor of Lowestoft, while councillor Peter Lang was re-appointed as deputy mayor.

After being elected, the new mayor thanked the outgoing mayor, councillor Alice Taylor, for all the work she had done on behalf of the council and the town for the past year.

A vote of thanks was recorded to the outgoing mayor.

Mr Green will now wear the mayoral robes after being elected for the municipal year.

He has served on the town council since its inauguration in April 2017 and he was re-elected as one of the three councillors representing the Pakefield ward in Lowestoft in the May 2019 local council elections.

A spokesman for the council said: “Last year, councillor Green served as chairman of the finance and governance committee and will continue to be a member of this committee, along with the planning and environment and climate emergency committees.”

With the continuing coronavirus crisis meaning there are many pressures on individuals and businesses, the new mayor said: “The people of Lowestoft have proven time and again to be very resilient in adversity.

“Its been a very difficult time for the whole country but Lowestoft can be proud that by keeping to the lockdown rules it has contributed to Suffolk having one of the lowest spreads of COVID-19 in England.”

With football and community sports being among Mr Green’s interests, he been associated with Lowestoft Town FC for almost 20 years – which also included a spell as club chairman.

Mr Green is now a club director of Lowestoft Town FC and the Lowestoft Town Sports Academy.

A club spokesman said: “Everyone at Lowestoft Town FC would like to congratulate director Alan Green on becoming mayor of Lowestoft.

“Alan has served the club of Lowestoft for a number of years in various capacities including chairman.

“We are positive he will represent the town of Lowestoft with the same passion and commitment we have become accustomed to.”

During the lockdown Lowestoft town council will continue to meet by video conferencing and the council spokesman added: “The town council will work strenuously with East Suffolk and Suffolk County Council and the local community to put in place temporary changes to enable safe social distancing as our shops and businesses start to reopen.”