People lined the streets to welcome their new mayor yesterday as civic leaders took part in a traditional annual event.

Eastern Daily Press: Crowds watch Southwold civic parade Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSACrowds watch Southwold civic parade Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

The Southwold Civic Parade left the Market Place to process to St Edmund's Church for the annual Civic Service.

New mayor Ian Bradbury was joined by colleagues from Southwold Town Council and other civic dignitaries for the event.

He was first elected to the council eight years ago, in May 2011, and re-elected for a third four-year term at the beginning of May.

Mr Bradbury started holidaying in Southwold in the mid-1970s and became attached to the town and in 2001 he bought a house in Reydon, ready to move to Suffolk after retiring from his post as a sixth form tutor at Coventry's most prestigious state secondary school, where he was a teacher of English Language and Literature.

Eastern Daily Press: New mayor Ian Bradbury during the civic service at St Edmund's Church, Southwold Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSANew mayor Ian Bradbury during the civic service at St Edmund's Church, Southwold Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

He is a keen allotment holder and a fan of West Bromwich Albion FC.

Eastern Daily Press: Civic leaders at the parade Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSACivic leaders at the parade Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Ready for the parade Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSAReady for the parade Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Tuning up Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSATuning up Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: People watch the parade process to the church Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSAPeople watch the parade process to the church Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Southwold Civic Parade Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSASouthwold Civic Parade Picture: VICTORIA PERTUSA (Image: Archant)