LLANFYLLIN’S new mayor has pledged his support to the town’s shops.

Councillor Simon Baynes was named the new civic leader for 2018/19 at the town council’s annual meeting on Wednesday night.

He also said he would support the market and the Christmas Fair.

Cllr Baynes told members: “Some of the shops are feeling beleaguered and I know we do our best but that is an area I would like to concentrate on.”

Other areas he said he would be focusing on in the coming months include making further improvements to the appearance of the town, while he is also championing the creation of a newsletter.

His added that his charities this year will be Concertina, which provides music for the elderly and the Master’s House Appeal at the Workhouse.

Cllr Baynes said: “Thankyou for the vote of confidence, I hope I can honour that accordingly.”

He also praised outgoing mayor was Cllr David Goodman for his ‘innovation, inclusiveness, respect’ which he brought in his two years as leader.

Cllr Goodman noted a year of highs and lows, commenting: “It is the best we can hope for that after a year we leave Llanfyllin in better shape than we found it and I think it’s safe to say we have done that.

“There is more to come but with this energetic council and the new mayor I am sure we will tackle them.”

Cllr Goodman also revealed that more than £1,000 has been raised in the last year for his chosen charity, Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre.