POOLE’S 764th Mayor was ceremonially ushered into her robes and the post of civic leader of the ancient town.

In front of specially invited guests, including family members, Cllr Carol Evans was elected in a ceremony at the Civic Centre.

A Conservative councillor representing Poole Town, the new mayor was elected to the council in May 2007 and served as Sheriff for the previous year.

The charities she has chosen are Parkstone Sea Cadets, Poole Sea Cadets and the newly formed Poole Communities Fund, an endowment fund providing grants for community and voluntary groups.

Of the sea cadets she said: “Both of these units are struggling to improve their buildings and equipment for the many young people who use them. It will be great to give them a helping hand.

“These young people are our future, just the sort of young people that we want and need to take our beautiful town forward.”

Cllr Phil Eades, who represents Branksome West for the Liberal Democrats, was elected the 444th Sheriff of Poole and was first elected to the council in May 2003.

“The Sheriff’s role is nowadays purely ceremonial and there are, in fact, only 16 sheriffs remaining in the whole of England and Wales,” he said.

He said he would not be competing with any newly elected police commissioner in preventing crime and catching criminals.

“I am particularly glad not to have to take on the former roles of feeding prisoners or supervising public executions on Baiter,” he added.

He said it was important that Poole maintained its historic traditions with civic leaders attending functions and parades.

“Particularly in these times of austerity anything the council can do to attract more visitors to our borough must be supported by councillors and residents of Poole alike,” he said.

Previous mayor, Cllr Graham Wilson, was appointed deputy mayor for the year.