PEOPLE on the breadline will have a friend in Taunton Deane's new Mayor.

Marcia Hill took up the role yesterday (Wednesday, May 20) and has chosen Taunton Foodbank as one of her charities.

"I know what it's like to be poor - my family didn't have much money when I was growing up and we struggled when Julian (her husband of 46 years) was unemployed," said Mrs Hill, who also has the special care baby unit at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital as a chosen charity.

Mrs Hill was born and bred in Taunton, where she attended St James Primary and North Town Secondary Modern Schools, both now closed.

She had several jobs before becoming a specialist teaching assistant at Wellsprings Primary School and Bishop Fox's.

She currently works in recruitment at County Hall, but retires soon on her 65th birthday.

She lives in Wellsprings with Julian - they have two daughters and two granddaughters.

She has been a Taunton Deane LibDem councillor for 22 years, including a stint as chairman of planning.

"I'm looking forward to my year as Mayor. I've got lots of things booked already," said Mrs Hill.

"I want to promote and support charities, community groups, self-help groups and businesses."

Mrs Hill, who is off to Taunton's French twin town of Lisieux tomorrow on a civic visit, added: "Taunton Deane deserves all the civic pride it can get. I feel I can do right by the people of the district.

"Dave Durdan (the previous Mayor) is a hard act to follow, but hopefully I will bring something different and I want to modernise things a little bit."

The new Deputy Mayor is Vivienne Stock-Williams.