Councillor Stephanie Dovey has been elected as the new Mayor of Chepstow.

The position was filled at the council's annual general meeting on Wednesday (22nd May) amongst competition from two other councillors.

Also nominated for the job were councillors Ned Heywood and Yvonne Havard. Having been knocked out of the running for the lead role in the first vote, Ned Heywood was later elected deputy mayor.

With seven votes each for the remaining contenders, councillors looked to departing mayor Paul Rutter to make the final call. Cllr Rutter gave now mayor Stephanie Dovey his deciding vote.

Councillor Dovey has been a member of Chepstow Town Council for seven years and described the opportunity to take up her first term as mayor as a "great honour".

Originally born in London, Cllr Dovey spent her teenage years in Gloucester and moved to the Chepstow area 20 years ago. She now represents the St Christopher's Ward and sits on the council alongside husband Cllr David Dovey, who was recently elected as chairman of Monmouthshire County Council.