A YEAR of consolidation lies ahead for the new Hampshire mayor of "one of the best places on this planet".

Councillor Mike Curtis paid tribute to Romsey after he was elected as the town's new mayor last night and he dedicated his year in office to putting small organisations in the town into the limelight.

The new mayor also warned, however, that his official engagements might be limited by his day job working for a building company.

Accepting the office Cllr Curtis, who moved to Romsey in 1972, said: "I don't intend to have any great new initiatives but to build on those already put in place. It will be a year of consolidation."

The father of three, from Northlands Road, Romsey, was first elected as a Liberal councillor in 1976 and served for three years until 1979. He was re-elected in 1986 and has served ever since.

After presenting flowers to his wife Rita on her investiture as mayoress, Cllr Curtis promised to continue to foster the town's community spirit and investigate installing a lift in the town hall.

"Small communities like this gel together - we all help one another," he said.

Cllr Sally Lamb, who is also treasurer of the Romsey British Legion Club, was elected as deputy mayor.

Tributes were also paid to the outgoing mayor, Councillor Mike Richardson, who was described as often having been seen cycling through the town with his mayoral chain trailing behind him.