MARK Harris has been elected as the new mayor of Cirencester.

The 49-year-old former deputy mayor was nominated last night, replacing the previous mayor Joe Harris - who is also his son.

Cllr Mark Harris has been involved in the town for many years. He is a former president of Cirencester Chamber of Commerce and plays a big role in the annual town Phoenix Festival. He is also a member of The Abstracts - The Cotswold's Live Covers Band.

Mark said he was incredibly proud of former mayor Cllr Joe Harris, both personally and professionally.

"You are an inspiration to me," he said at the annual town council meeting last night. "People keep saying you must be so proud of your son, and I am."

Joe handed over the mayor's chain of office to Mark and said thank you to the town council for two great years as mayor.

"It has been a huge honour to serve the town," he said.

Current Cirencester town councillor, and also Gloucestershire county councillor Nigel Robbins was elected as deputy mayor, replacing Mark Harris.

"I'm particularly excited," he said. "I hope I'll do my best for the town council and the town in the coming months."

Also in the meeting Cllr Stuart Tarr was appointed as head of planning, Cllr Patrick Coleman as head of finance and audit, Cllr Andy Lichnowski as head of estate services and Cllr Oliver Cooper as head of community services.