Several new positions amongst parish and town councils have been elected.

Grahame Scruton has been elected as Epping Town Mayor for 2019-20 with councillor Michael Wright the new Deputy Mayor at last night’s Annual Town Meeting.

Outgoing Mayor Nigel Avey said it had been "great honour and pleasure" to hold the role and felt Mr Scruton will be a "very good" mayor.

Town clerk Beverley Rumsey and the town council staff were thanked by Mr Avey for their work and support over the past year.

Mr Avey announced he would be presenting a cheque for about £1,500 to his chosen charity as mayor, the League of Friends of St Margaret's Hospital.

Over at North Weald Bassett Parish Council, Councillor Alan Buckley was unanimously re-elected as the chairman with councillor Brian Eldridge continuing as vice-chairman.

In addition to the parish council, long-term resident Dawn Wood was co-opted a new councillor to the Village Ward.

Ms Wood, who has lived in the village more than 40 years, is a parish council-appointed trustee, administrator and treasurer of the Queens Hall charity.

The parish council still has two vacancies, one each for the Thornwood Common and Hastingwood wards.