A longstanding Bexley resident has been elected as the borough's new mayor.

Councillor Peter Reader was elected at a council meeting last night on May 25 to take over from departing mayor Eileen Pallen.

The Northumberland Heath ward cllr was elected alongside Brampton ward councillor John Wilkinson who will serve as deputy mayor.

Cllr Reader, a Charlton fan, has lived in the borough since the age of five and has been married for the past 30 years.

His wife, Irene, will serve with him as mayoress.

The couple say the are looking forward to meeting new people and discovering more about the borough.

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Peter and Irene live in Bexleyheath and have five adult children, 16 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

First elected to council in 1968, Cllr Reader served an initial period until 1971. His latest spell in the council started in 2006.

Peter’s mother died as a result of Parkinson’s 17 years ago and he and the Mayoress have chosen the Bexley & Dartford branch of Parkinson’s UK as their charity for the year.

He will represent Bexley at many events during the year, as well as chairing Council Meetings.