"THE best is yet to come."

That is the message from the new mayor of Redditch, councillor Juliet Brunner.

Cllr Brunner, who helped lead the Conservatives to victory in the May elections, was sworn in at Redditch Council's annual meeting earlier this week.

She thanked the council for voting her in and called it a great accolade.

She said it is an honour and a privilege to serve Redditch and was looking forward to meeting lots of residents and raising funds for charity.

Cllr Brunner thanked former mayor Jenny Wheeler her for her excellent service for the last 12 months and paid tribute to cllr Wheeler and her deputy Nina Wood-Ford.

New mayor cllr Brunner has selected Bowel Cancer UK, Sandycroft Wellbeing Centre, and the Redditch Royal British Legion as her chosen charities for the year.

Councillors also elected councillor Roger Bennett as deputy mayor and councillor Matthew Dormer as leader of the council.

Councillor David Bush will take up the role of deputy leader.