New mayor of Huntingdon Cllr Sarah Gifford wants to put the town’s motto “from good to better” to use during her term in office.

Cllr Gifford - widow of Macer Gifford from the local horse racing family - was elected to the top civic post during the annual mayor-making ceremony at the town hall, taking over from outgoing mayor Jay Dyne.

She said: “I am very happy to be elected and I just want to do a good job. We have got a great team.

“Huntingdon’s motto is From Good Things to Better - and that’s what I want to happen. It is already a good town and I would like it to go better. I just want to carry on progressing.”

Cllr Gifford, who has been on the council for three years, said there were plans to build a new crematorium to serve the area and a new community centre.

She will be supporting four charities during her term in office, the Army Cadets, Royal British Legion welfare, the Scouts and St John Ambulance.

More than 50 guests were invited to the town hall for the ceremony where councillors voted unanimously for Cllr Gifford to be mayor. They also appointed Cllr Steve McAdam deputy mayor.

Mr Dyne told the meeting that he had enjoyed his spell as mayor, adding: “It was an honour I never expected to get.”

He raised more than £2,000 for his chosen charities and presented cheques to Shopmobility, the sea cadets, Grub Hub, Big Journeys with Small Steps and Woodland Lodge.

Mr Dyne also presented the Community Shield to Nina Railley for her contributions to Grub Hub.

During the ceremony Paul Wilson was appointed mayor’s consort, Dennis Smith as macebearer and the Rev Andrew Milton as chaplain.