SOUTHEND’S new mayor will take over the borough’s reins on Thursday.

The new Mayor of Southend Fay Evans will be elected at the town’s traditional Mayor-Making ceremony from 3.30pm.

Hundreds of council officials, residents, family members and friends have been invited to attend the council chamber at the Civic Centre in Victoria Avenue, Southend, to witness the official inauguration of Mrs Evans.

Mrs Evans is deputy mayor and Conservative ward councillor for West Leigh.

She will take over as first citizen of the borough from Judith McMahon.

She will don the current mayor’s chain of office for a formal picture with colleagues on the Civic Centre’s spiral staircase.