A former rail worker who has been a councillor for nearly 45 years has been elected as Cheshire East's new mayor.

Alsager councillor Rod Fletcher was sworn in at a special ceremony at Tatton Park on Wednesday. His daughter, Kate Hull, will be mayoress.

Cllr Reg Kain, who nominated Cllr Fletcher for the position, told the assembled guests: "I have only known Rod for a short period of time but what has struck me is his attention to detail and protocols, qualities which I think makes for a great and outstanding councillor."

Cllr Fletcher was first elected to Alsager Town Council in 1979 and went on to become a Congleton Borough councillor in 1980 and served on that council until it was abolished in 2009.

Cllr Rod Fletcher is the new Cheshire East mayor (Photo: Cheshire East Council)

He has was also a member of Cheshire County Council from 2005 to 2009 and has been a Cheshire East councillor since the authority was formed in 2009.

Cllr Fletcher had a career working on the railways, starting as a junior clerk with British Rail and working his way up to become control manager for a train operating company.

Deputy council leader Craig Browne, who seconded Cllr Fletcher's nomination for mayor, described him as 'a kind and gentle man'.

"I have no doubt that he will be an excellent advocate for all that is good about our borough," he said.

Crewe councillor Marilyn Houston was elected as Cheshire East's deputy mayor.

Cllr Houston, who was first elected to the borough council in 2019, was the Crewe mayor in 2016.