At Tenby's Mayor-making ceremony on Friday, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane was officially sworn in as the town's 620th Mayor, making it a record five times for the councillor to don the scarlet robes of office in her 22 years as a member of the town council.

In formally proposing her at the ceremony held in the Mayor's Parlour, Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter, who had stood as Deputy Mayor during Clr. Mrs. Lane's last term in office, said: "Sue very much has Tenby at heart, and is passionate about it's past, present and future."

She also noted that Clr. Mrs. Lane, who is chairman of Tenby in Bloom, was the driving force behind the town's success in the Wales in Bloom event.

In seconding the proposal, Clr. Mrs. Sandra Williams said that Clr. Mrs. Lane was a "wonderful ambassador" for the town.

"She is like a stick of seaside rock, with Tenby printed all the way through her," she added.

After being elected, Clr. Mrs. Lane proposed that Clr. Mrs. Julie Evans be accepted as her Deputy Mayor.

"Born and bred in Tenby, she started her association with the town council 30 years ago as the office clerk and since she was elected as a councillor in 2007 she has proved a strong, determined and very capable member," remarked Clr. Mrs. Lane, with Clr. Mrs. Rossiter seconding the proposal.

Clr. Mrs. Evans said that she was privileged to be sitting around the council table and hoped that in her role supporting the Mayor, she could give something back to the town which she described as "magical".

Re-appointed as Town Crier was John Thomas, with John Morgan as Sergeant at Arms and Robin Scanlon as Sergeant at Mace, while Father Owen McGreal was appointed as the Mayor's chaplain during her year in office.

Miss Sam Reohorn was then installed as Mayoress and Mr. Gareth Evans as the Deputy Mayor's Consort.

Clr. Trevor Hallett proposed a vote of thanks to the re-elected Mayor, thanking her for her leadership.

"This partnership has resulted in Tenby winning Wales in Bloom many times, and long may it continue," he said, while Clr. Mrs. Rossiter congratulated her on her year and wished her another successful term as Mayor.

The ceremony was followed by a civic reception in the main hall, where the Mayor was joined by her party and guests.

Following the loyal toast proposed by the Town Crier, Mr. Graham Thomas gave the toast to the Mayor and the town of Tenby.

Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Lane, who was the youngest woman ever to be elected as a Tenby councillor, thanked everyone for attending, and said it was a great honour to fill the role of Mayor once again, as the most enjoyable part was travelling around Pembrokeshire and across the UK representing the town and making new friends.

"Let's hope we have a bumper season in Tenby this year, which is not only the 'jewel in the crown', but also the gem of the west," she added, before her new deputy, Clr. Mrs. Evans, raised a glass to the guests, among them Mr. Phil Thompson, who is to retire at the end of September as Chevron's public affairs adviser.

"Without Phil's work, many clubs and organisations wouldn't be here today, so a big thank you to him and we wish him a very long and happy retirement," she said.

Mr. Thompson, who started part of his working life in Tenby in the motor trade, gave a response on behalf of the guests.

"I make this the 59th Mayor-making I've been to over the years, and I couldn't think of a better place to have my final one.

"Tenby is what it is based mainly down to building community spirit and partnerships, and Sue has done an awful lot for Tenby.

"We wish the Mayor and the town council all the best," he added.

The civic reception continued with guests able to enjoy some live music from popular band, the Frantic Five.