Sheringham can look forward to a bright and exciting future, according to new mayor Madeleine Ashcroft, who was elected to the role at the annual meeting of the town council.

North Norfolk News: Sheringham's new mayor Madeleine Ashcroft with deputy mayor Liz Withington. Photo: KAREN BETHELLSheringham's new mayor Madeleine Ashcroft with deputy mayor Liz Withington. Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

'We have got some challenges ahead of us, but we want to forge ahead with our plans,' she said.

Priorities were bringing the seafront up to a good standard, Mrs Ashcroft explained, and pushing ahead with the proposed Local Neighbourhood Plan, which received overwhelming support from residents and traders attending a meeting held at the town community centre last month.

'As a council, we want to work much more closely with the community than in the past and, as mayor, I think I can bring an open mind and an ability to reflect the views of people of all ages,' she said.

Born to a forces family in Birmingham, Mrs Ashcroft, who takes over from previous mayor Mark Hill, spent her early childhood in Germany, before returning to the UK aged 12.

After leaving school with no qualifications, she worked IT and banking until getting married to Rex, when she temporarily gave up work to concentrate on bringing up their four children, at the same time studying for degrees in environmental and social studies and a post graduate diploma in environment, health and disease.

The family then spent nine years living and working in Amsterdam and after moving to Sheringham 20 years ago, Mrs Ashcroft, 71, quickly threw herself into community life.

A town councillor since 2008, she ran a local lunch club for 12 years and is a long-standing committee member of the town's French and German twinning associations and Fairtrade group.

Mrs Ashcroft, who now runs a financial services company with her husband, will be supported by deputy mayor Liz Withington.

A former primary school deputy head, Mrs Withington is one of the driving forces behind Sheringham Dementia Friendly Community. As president of Sheringham WI, she has campaigned on a number of issues, as well as setting up the newly-formed Sheringham Plastic Aware group,

She said: 'I think we make a great team; we are good friends and we have a very similar desire to make Sheringham the strongest, most vibrant and most sustainable community it can possibly be.'