MALVERN'S new mayor Frances Victory has pledged to move the town council forward for the good of local residents.

Coun Victory was voted in unopposed at the annual town meeting on Tuesday (May 21), after being proposed by outgoing mayor Whinray Coates.

"She has been an excellent deputy," said Coun Coates. "She has the town at heart and I know she would do a good job."

Coun Victory said she was honoured to be appointed and praised her predecessor.

She said: "Despite her problems, both personal and public, her total commitment has never faltered. I undertake to continue the ecumenical civic service undertaken by her last year.

"It's a great privilege to represent Malvern. I hope this council will strive to move forward for the good of the community as a whole.

"I hope to represent a more united council and to bring into fruition all the things we have been discussing for such a long time."

The new deputy mayor is Coun Mike Angell, who fought off a challenge by the Malvern Town Action Group (MTAG).

MTAG member Keith Phillips said that not only had councillors Victory and Angell been co-opted and not elected to the council, they did not live in the town.

He also argued that they had been part of the council that came under public fire at the time that Stuart McDonough was town clerk.

"To suggest that another with this background should become deputy is in my opinion too much," he said.

Coun Phillips put forward the name of fellow MTAG councillor Lynne Hall as deputy. However, Coun Angell was appointed by 14 votes to eight.