Maldon's mayor hopes to step down from the role after two years of wearing the ornate chains of office.

Peter Stilts, who has been a town councillor for seven years, feels now the time has come for him to take a step back from his role as mayor, despite councillors voting unanimously for him twice before.

The 65-year-old, who is retired from his work in first aid training, claims he has been to more than 400 events this year and 365 events the year before.

One day he said he spent 17 hours in his role as mayor.

He said about his time as mayor: “It’s been fantastic."

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