Thetford's mayor elect has pledged to try and 'bring the communities together' during his year in the role.

Denis Crawford said he aims to be an 'ambassador to Thetford' and wants to represent all of the communities within the town.

The UKIP councillor, who is currently deputy mayor, was selected as the mayor elect during a ceremonial full council meeting earlier this month.

The 66-year-old will become mayor at the mayor making ceremony, a public event, at Thetford's Guildhall at 7pm on Tuesday, May 9.

Mr Crawford said: 'I want to get all the community and religious groups in Thetford involved during my mayoral year. We have to include the people of Thetford in everything.

'We have to work to bring the communities together and help each other and to work with each other for the benefit of the town.

'It is important to be inclusive.'

Mr Crawford, who will be standing for Norfolk County Councillor for Thetford east the week before he becomes mayor, said his role will not be political.

'It is important to me that I am not seen as a political mayor,' he said. 'That is not what this job is.'

Mr Crawford was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to an American father and English mother, and lived in various locations across the US and England because his dad was in the US Air Force.

He moved to Thetford in 1972 where he worked for the American military as a civilian at RAF Feltwell.

Mr Crawford, who is also a district councillor, said he is 'proud' of the town wants to make Thetford a positive place.

He said another one of his passions will be the twinning association.

'I am very proud to be mayor and I am looking forward to getting started,' he said. 'I would like to keep to traditions but to also try things differently and to try different ways to do things to be more inclusive.'

Mr Crawford would like representatives from all the community and religious groups in Thetford to attend his mayoral ceremony. He is also keen to establish links to work on throughout his year in the role.

For more information or to express an interest, visit the town council offices at King's House on King's Street, call 01842 754247 or email mail@thetfordtowncouncil.gov.uk