THE new Mayor of Worcester has spoken of his immense pride at taking the chains - saying he was in near "disbelief" at his elevation.

Labour Councillor Paul Denham, a former teacher and current city magistrate, was selected as Worcester's first citizen last night.

Back in the 2013/14 municipal year he spent 12 months as deputy mayor, a role which normally leads to the top position, but had his hopes crushed after the Conservatives swept back to power and controversially handed it to Councillor Alan Amos.

Councillor Denham, a Yorkshireman who first came to Worcester from London in 1984 for a teaching job at the old Elgar High School, said: "I'm almost in disbelief that it finally happened.

"In the last couple of years I made it perfectly clear to my group that I wasn't enthusiastic about being nominated for mayor, unless I was confident it would happen.

"I said I wouldn't do it unless I had the confidence of not only my councillors, but the other groups too."

Due to the Labour-Green negotiations he was still unsure about whether he was going to be made the new Mayor of Worcester at 6pm last night, an hour before the meeting.

"I knew it all depended on the negotiations, so I wasn't certain on anything until last night," he said today.

"But it was done in a very dignified way. I am very grateful for the support I had."

His two chosen charities for the year are the Midlands Air Ambulance and Breaks for Kids, a fund operated by the Youth Hostel Association which helps children from financially disadvantaged backgrounds go on short holiday trips.

Councillor Denham, who used to be a leader of youth holiday clubs in his 20s, said: "Lots of kids have never, ever been outside their own home town - for them being able to see another place, it's a real eye-opener."

Born in Huddersfield, as well as his teaching career Councillor Denham has worked in various sales or marketing roles including at Kodac, in financial services, as a mortgage broker and selling home education courses.

He was head of maths at Elgar High School, and sits on both Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council, representing Rainbow Hill.

During last night's meeting he said he would do his best to "promote the city".

"My main aim will be to promote the city to the best of my ability - because Worcester is a great place to be a councillor in, never mind the mayor," he said.

The new mayoress is his wife Councillor Lynn Denham, who was re-elected to the Cathedral ward two weeks ago with a thumping majority.

The new deputy Mayor of Worcester is Conservative Councillor Steve Mackay, a former police officer who represents Battenhall and was first elected in 2014.

He also attracted support across all three parties, and is now first in line to take over from Councillor Denham in 12 months.