IPSWICH'S new mayor is today starting his term in office.

IPSWICH'S new mayor is today starting his term in office.

David Goldsmith, Conservative borough councillor for Castle Hill was handed his robes by outgoing mayor David Hale at a ceremony in the Grand Hall of the Corn Exchange.

Mr Goldsmith, who has been a councillor for 10 years, has chosen the NSPCC, the RSPCA and the Team Ipswich Sports Foundation as his charities for his year in the post.

Mr Goldsmith, who was born in Oxford, has lived in the same house in Ipswich for the past 25 years.

Mr Goldsmith and his wife, the new Mayoress Sue have three children and five grandchildren.

At the meeting, Councillor Liz Harsant was re-elected Leader of the Borough Council and Councillor John Carnall was re-elected Deputy Leader.