THE city’s new mayor was formally welcomed during a civic service and procession.

The service at Worcester Cathedral on Sunday (June 19) welcomed Cllr Adrian Gregson as the new mayor of Worcester.

A procession was held between the Guildhall and Worcester Cathedral to mark the start of Cllr Gregson’s mayoral year which will focus on tackling mental health and wellbeing through arts and culture.

The congregation included local dignitaries, council members, mayors and chairmen from neighbouring local authorities and representatives of local schools, businesses, organisations and charities.

A collection taken at the end of the service was split between the cathedral and the mayor’s chosen charities for the year which are Severn Arts, and Onside Advocacy.

Cllr Gregson said: “I’d like to thank all those who attended - it was really nice to be able to see close friends, colleagues from work, mates from the rugby club, political colleagues, my charities, and people I have known and worked with over many years in different walks of life. And my Dad.”

Cllr Gregson, who stepped down as the council’s Labour leader last month after 21 years in the job, served as last year’s deputy mayor under mayor Cllr Stephen Hodgson.