A new mayor of St Albans has taken the chains of office.

Councillor Salih Gaygusuz was sworn in at St Albans District Council’s annual meeting on Wednesday.

The Mayor has lived in St Albans since 1972 and has served as a District Councillor for Marshalswick South Ward since 2006. His consort for the year will be Mayoress Mrs Maureen Gaygusuz.

Councillor Gill Clark was made Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Gaygusuz, the Right Worshipful the Mayor of the District of St Albans, said: "It is a great honour to be made the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans for this coming year.

"When I began my working life as a waiter, I never thought that one day I would have my own businesses and become St Albans’ Mayor.

"I am very much looking forward to meeting the many volunteers and organisations who work so hard for our community. I also hope to raise vital funds throughout the year for my mayoral charity, Keech Hospice Care."

The Mayor came to the UK from Turkey in 1972 when he was 16 years old.

He worked his way up from being a waiter to owning a string of restaurants, bars and retail businesses in St Albans and beyond. He has since retired and sold off many of his business interests.

Councillor Gaygusuz is a keen supporter of Keech Hospice, which provides specialist palliative care for adults and children diagnosed with a life-limiting or terminal illness.

He has raised funds for the charity with a sponsored parachute jump and unsupported motorbike ride to Georgia.

Councillor Gill Clark, first became a District Councillor for Wheathampstead ward in St Albans in 1999, serving until 2004. Following a four-year break, she was elected again to the District Council in 2008.