BOURNEMOUTH’S new mayor accepted the chains of office and announced several new initiatives for the town.

Cllr Rod Cooper, who was formally named the new Mayor of Bournemouth at a ceremony at the Pavilion, unveiled plans for the town to have its own poet laureate and also promised to set up competitions for young journalists and young story-writers.

And he looked forward to a busy year ahead, which will include the opening of the Hengistbury Head visitor centre, further improve-ments in Boscombe and the first Bournemouth Marathon.

Cllr Cooper is a former teacher who has worked in the UK and overseas. He has been a councillor since 2007 and previously held the post of cabinet member for leisure and tourism. He has written a number of books, including Discover Bournemouth and Discover Poole.

He told councillors he wanted to develop economic links between Bournemouth and a tourist resort in China and also announced a total of six charities who will benefit from his charity appeal – Kitty’s Wish Foundation, the Steve Barnard Foundation, the Wessex Cancer Trust, BCHA, the Coda community orchestra and Diverse Abilities Plus.

In another new initiative, he outlined plans for a charity pop-up shop in the Sovereign Centre to raise funds for his chosen good causes.

Councillors also showed their appreciation to outgoing mayor Cllr Phil Stanley-Watts, who will now serve a year as deputy mayor. Cllr Stanley-Watts told of his pride at serving the town, welcoming the Olympic Flame and seeing AFC Bournemouth promoted. He also announced he would run the Bournemouth Marathon in October for the mayor’s charities.