Shopkeeper Sahran Abeysundara took the chain of office after he was voted in at Haslemere Town Council “mayor-making” ceremony.

In his acceptance speech, he told councillors: “I am extremely overwhelmed and honoured to have been elected the 43rd Mayor of Haslemere. I gladly accept the responsibilities that your trust has entitled me to.”

Councillor Abeysundara was last year’s deputy mayor. He described outgoing mayor Melanie Odell, as “an amazing figurehead for our town” and said she was “an inspiration and mentor to me, leaving extremely large shoes to fill”.

He chose to support four charities during the mayoral year: Positive Action, an HIV charity; Action Medical Research, a charity that funds medical research for diseases that devastates the lives of children; The Kaleidoscope Trust; and Haslemere Penny Halpenny Trust, soon be set up in Haslemere to help support and fund raise for local organisations and projects which “maintain, develop and encourage community”.

Mr Abeysundara, who was elected to represent Haslemere South in 2015, is the owner of The Silkroad interior design business in Wey Hill, and last year spearheaded the re-design of Haslewey Community Centre.

Originally from Sri Lanka, he has lived in Haslemere for five years, and describes himself as an “interior designer, marketing guru and human rights campaigner”.

The full text of his acceptance speech can be found at a new dedicated Facebook page for communications from the mayor: search for “Cllr. Sahran Abeysundara - Mayor of Haslemere”. The mayor’s consort is his partner Howard Bicknell.

Councillor Malcolm Carter was chosen as the new deputy mayor of Haslemere for 2016-2017 – his wife Sandie will be his consort. Mr Carter was elected to serve Hindhead ward in last year’s local elections.