Waltham Abbey Town Council's youngest member has been elected town mayor.

Cllr Jodie Lucas, 27, told the annual council meeting she was "truly and deeply honoured" to have been nominated for the position.

She succeeds councillor Antony Watts who received his past mayor's badge from cllr Lucas at the meeting held at Waltham Abbey Town Hall on Wednesday.

Cllr Lucas said: "I really am truly and deeply honoured to be elected as Mayor of Waltham Abbey and it is a privilege to accept this position in the town my family has resided in for nearly 200 years."

Jodie, who has represented the Paternoster ward for more than five years having been co-opted in 2016 and elected in 2019, added: "I have learnt so much both personally and professionally for the best interests of the town and for those that I represent.

"As the youngest member of the council, guidance and support has been an essential aspect of my development."

Cllr Lucas has chosen the mental health charity Young Minds as her charity for the year.

She said: "Mental health and especially children's mental health is something I am personally passionate about.

"Mental health is at its most prevalent due to the increased stress and strain the pandemic has put on us all, and especially the younger generation."

Cllr Liz Webster, who was re-elected as council leader, had nominated councillor Lucas saying it was a "really, really, great pleasure" to put her forward for the position. Her nomination was seconded by councillor Tim Matthews.

Members of cllr Lucas's family - including her 96-year-old grandmother, Eugenia - were among the members of the public who attended the mayor-making meeting which saw councillor Jeane Lea elected as Deputy Mayor.