New mayor supports Somebody's Daughter

IPSWICH'S new mayor is today starting work with a pledge to work to improve freedom throughout the borough.

And Inga Lockington's year in office began with a pledge to help those working in the red light area by making Somebody's Daughter - the fund begun by The Evening Star and the borough council - one of her mayoral charities for the year.

Somebody's Daughter was set up after the killings of Gemma Adams, Tania Nicol, Anneli Alderton, Annette Nicholls and Paula Clennell, whose bodies were found at rural locations around Ipswich in December.

Mrs Lockington is the first Liberal Democrat to become mayor of the town - and the first Liberal to wear the robes since the mid-1960s.

She became mayor at the town's annual meeting last night, taking over from Conservative Henry Davies who has now become deputy mayor.

Danish-born Mrs Lockington was first elected to the council in 1999 and for her first 12 months on the authority was the sole LibDem voice.

Since then the group has grown. Now it has eight members and is in coalition with the Tories running the borough.

On accepting office Mrs Lockington said: “When the Danes came to Ipswich in the tenth and 11th centuries they were not peaceful, but I certainly hope to enjoy a peaceful year in office.”

She has three mayoral charities, as well as Somebody's Daughter she will also be supporting the Ipswich and Suffolk Parkinson's Disease Society and the Ipswich Wildlife Group.

She said: “These three charities reflect the theme of freedom. Somebody's Daughter is important because it backs the freedom from drug abuse and the freedom to find a life free from the world of prostitution.”

Mrs Lockington's consort will be her husband Tim, although she warned that his job as a doctor at the hospital may prevent him from accompanying her to many events.

“We are looking forward to the next year enormously. It is a great honour to be chosen as mayor for this wonderful town,” she said.