HE IS incredibly proud of his Welsh roots but Glynn Davies-Dear is also proud as punch to be the new Mayor of Eastleigh.

Before taking over the civic chain the 58-year-old Liberal Democrat councillor told the Daily Echo how he had instantly fallen in love with his adopted borough.

It was in 1980 that he moved to the Horton Heath area and for a while was the village's sub-postmaster.

He soon discovered the people of the Eastleigh area had that open and friendly manner which he had experienced in his homeland.

Councillor Davies-Dear, who was born in Merthyr Tydfil and grew up in Bedfordshire, said: "I just fell in love with the people of Eastleigh. I always felt welcome here and it is a borough that I have come to love."

Now he is looking forward to a mayoral year in which he will be able to meet a wide cross-section of the Eastleigh community.

Joining him as mayoress will be his wife, Scilla.

The couple, who both work for Eastleigh MP David Chidgey, have four children and three grandchildren.

Proposing Cllr Davies-Dear for the office of mayor, Councillor Peter Wall spoke of the great dedication and commitment he had brought to his work for the community.

The new mayor will be concentrating his civic fundraising on two organisations - Eastleigh and District MIND and the First Responders of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak, a voluntary group which responds to emergency accident.

The new deputy mayor is Councillor June Hughes, Liberal Democrat councillor for Hedge End St John. Her escort will be Mr Albert Hughes.

Retiring mayor Councillor Gillian Connell was praised for her work during a busy year in which she carried out about 400 engagements, including three which involved royal visits.