HALSTEAD’S mayor is retiring after eight years serving the town.

David Hume, of Pretoria Road, was elected in 2008 when he replaced Helen Catley as mayor.

He is the town’s longest running mayor since 1946.

He stood down on Monday at the town’s annual general meeting and the vice-chairman Shirley Diver was elected to replace him.

Mr Hume said: “Eight years is a long time to be mayor so I decided to step down.

“I am going to miss it as it has been a big part of my life.

“I have enjoyed getting to know what makes Halstead work and meeting all the volunteers who give their time to Halstead.

“I feel very privileged to have met them and represent the town at official events.”

Mrs Diver said she was looking forward to becoming mayor.

She said: “It was a bit of a shock.

“I am very proud, humbled and pleased to have been chosen.

“It is going to be a lot of hard work.

“I have a very experienced mayor in front of me for the past eight years who always made it look extremely easy.

“But I am looking forward to it.

“The council has been absolutely fantastic and are a very forward-thinking group.

“There are one or two things that I want to do, but for now I want to learn the business and get everything right and then we can go from there.

“We are also getting a new town clerk as Mike Murkin is stepping down, so we are going to be a completely new team.”

Andy Munday will now serve as vice-chairman.

Mr Hume will continue to serve on the town council as the term is four years. Mayors serve one year terms, but can be re-elected.