The new Mayor of Ipswich has promised to be one like no other before.

Glen Chisholm is set to be elected as the town’s civic head at the borough’s annual meeting on Wednesday and plans to have his 18-year-old son, Clinton, as his consort.

The 42-year-old, who has been a Labour councillor for the Stoke Park ward for the past three years, pledges to be a “champion for the town” who will offer a “unique” approach to the ceremonial role.

Mr Chisholm intends to support two causes that are close to his heart during his year-long post; neonatal care and mental health.

“My son was one of twins and sadly we lost his brother during the pregnancy, and we nearly lost him as well – he was premature,” he said.

“The special care unit at Ipswich Hospital saved my son’s life so I thought it would be an opportunity to give something back to them.”

Mr Chisholm is an active campaigner for mental health awareness and has written blogs of his own experiences for the anti-stigma website, Time for Change.

He added: “People need to realise that mental health can kill just as much as physical health so that’s something I really wanted to do and get behind. It’s something I’m very passionate about.”

After separating from his partner more than 10 years ago, Mr Chisholm said his son had been his ‘plus one’ for most functions since, so it made sense to have him as his companion during his duties.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity for him to see more of the town and see what people do here,” he said.

“More often than not we don’t sing the praises of what we’ve got here. We do have a diverse community and we do have people that work well together and I want to sing the praises of everyone who calls Ipswich their home.”

Brought up on a council estate in Gainsborough, he said one of his goals as mayor was to visit schools to show youngsters that there were opportunities in Ipswich for everyone to succeed – no matter where they were from.

Mr Chisholm now works at LV insurance based at Crown House and will continue his employment during his term, but ensures he will be “full-time mayor”.

He acknowledged that he had some big boots to fill in the shape of outgoing mayor Bill Quinton, who has held the post twice in the last 26 years, as well as a number of senior council posts including chairman of the planning and development committee.