WORCESTER city councillors should not let politics get in the way of serving the people they represent, according to the city's new mayor.

Councillor Robert Rowden was last night elected Worcester's new first citizen, replacing David Clark who handed the chain of office to his successor at the council's annual meeting.

During his acceptance speech, Coun Rowden thanked the former Mayor for making his role of deputy mayor so easy but called on fellow councillors to ensure they worked for the good of the city.

"What we are all here for is the good of Worcester regardless of our politics," he said.

"Let's work together and not get bogged down in politics. The main thing is to serve this city and it's on us to do so."

The Holy Trinity councillor, who was also a former leader of the city's Conservatives, was elected with a clear majority during the meeting, which took place last night in the city's Guildhall.

But Labour leader Adrian Gregson called for the Tories, who now have the majority of seats in the council, to elect Ray Turner from his party to "balance" the political parties.

Last year, Coun Turner was put forward for the position of Mayor but lost out.

"It would be most appropriate for the council to elect someone who is not a member of the ruling group or be a former leader of that ruling group," he said.

But when the proposal was turned down by members, the Labour leader put Coun Turner forward for deputy mayor again stressing the need of a balance of parties.

However, the St Peter's member lost to Coun Gareth Jones.

Stepping down from his position of Mayor, Coun Clark thanked his colleagues and staff at the city council for all their support during the year. "During my time as Mayor I have been involved in two wars," he said.

"One was the re-enactment of the Battle of Worcester, the other was the elections. Being a royalist and a Conservative, I lost both."