After just two years on the council Cllr Richard Jensen was picked to become the face of Portsmouth for the next year.

With robes flowing and chains glinting, the Lib Dem was made the new Lord Mayor of Portsmouth at the annual mayor-making ceremony this morning.

Cllr Jensen, a solicitor, said he was giving up work for a year to dedicate himself to the role.

With control of the council hanging in the balance he could become one of the most important men in the city as the Lord Mayor has the casting vote on any council decisions.

He said: 'To hold the post of Lord Mayor is a great honour and I'm very pleased to have been selected for the position.

'It's a privilege to represent the city, especially at a time when there are so many great things happening here.

'I want to give local people a voice in influencing decisions that affect them and their lives.

'I'm very much looking forward to the year ahead.'

Cllr Jensen will also use his year as Lord Mayor to raise money for Portsmouth and Southsea Voluntary Lifeguards to help them build a new headquarters.

Cllr Jensen will take over from Cllr Mike Blake who raised £40,000 for Hampshire cancer charity – FORT – over the past year.