THE newly elected mayor of Lyme Regis has vowed to 'win back the public's respect'.

The town's new first citizen, Cllr Philip Evans MBE, was chosen to become mayor unopposed following the sudden resignation of former mayor David Ruffle just a few months into the role.

A new deputy mayor, a post formerly held by Cllr Evans, was also chosen from among the serving councillors at a recent meeting of Lyme Regis Town Council.

Cllr Evans, a retired journalist of 60 years, served as mayor once before in 1984, as the youngest person to ever hold the post.

He joked that he did not expect to now become the town's oldest mayor.

Read more: Lyme Regis mayor and councillor David Ruffle resigns

In his acceptance speech, he said: "I have to say I would rather be standing here in different circumstances.

"I am not going to lecture you on council behaviour. As far as I am concerned, we are a body of responsible adults determined to do our best for the people of Lyme, giving willingly of our time.

"I offer you one commitment tonight and that is that I will spend every waking hour over the next eight months in an effort to change the public perception of this council.

"I see this as the number one priority in the coming months."

Mayor Evans announced he will be starting a monthly surgery at the mayor's parlour to invite the public to raise issues and to inform them of the council's projects.

He re-joined the council in only 2023 after his retirement. He is also the president of the Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion, chair of the Lyme Regis branch of Cancer Research UK and was awarded an MBE in 2018 for his services to the community.

Cllr Michaela Ellis was chosen to become deputy mayor.

Additionally, Adrian Wood was chosen to fill one of the councillor vacancies, and an election will be held in October to fill the one remaining seat left.

Mayor Evans added: "The work of winning back the public’s respect begins in earnest tomorrow. So let’s work together as a team and not waste our energy on petty squabbles among ourselves to demonstrate to the people of Lyme Regis that we are worthy of their support and admiration."