Chatteris councillor Sue Elam cycles her way into the history books on Tuesday after being elected the town s first ever mayor. Photographer Brian Purdy caught up with her just hours before the historic ceremony when Chatteris Town Council agreed that no

Chatteris councillor Sue Elam cycles her way into the history books on Tuesday after being elected the town's first ever mayor.

Photographer Brian Purdy caught up with her just hours before the historic ceremony when Chatteris Town Council agreed that no longer would it be represented by a council chairman.

Instead Cllr Elam becomes mayor, taking over from Councillor Florence Newell, the council's long-serving chairman.

Cllr Newell spearheaded the move to elect a mayor but never wanted the role herself, content to wait until her successor was in post.

Cllr Elam's husband, Brian, will be breaking with one tradition, however, declining to be known as the mayor's consort.

"I'm her husband, and will attend functions as such," he said. "I know quite a few mayors have a friend or family member as consort - but for the duration I shall be happy to attend for what I am, the man who is married to the mayor."

Whittlesey is now the only Fenland town without a mayor- and it has no plans to change its status.