BELFAST'S new Lord Mayor has pledged to spend his year in office "putting citizens first".
The DUP's Brian Kingston was elected at Wednesday night's annual meeting of Belfast City Council.
Mr Kingston, 50, from north Belfast, said his key themes for his term would include boosting the city's economy, enhancing its place on the global map and helping those involved in compassionate and caring work.
A former high sheriff of the city, the new mayor has a background in community development.
The married father of three, who succeeds Sinn Fein's Arder Carson, said: "It is a great honour for me to be selected for the position of Lord Mayor of my home city.
"I am very proud to come from Belfast and, as a councillor, I have taken huge pleasure in seeing the great strides forward that our city is making year on year.
"I will do my utmost during my term of office to promote the inclusive growth of our capital city's economy, to advance our international connections, attract international events and to support all those who make Belfast a compassionate and caring city.
"I will dedicate myself to the role of representing all the people of our city in an important year which includes the solemn occasion of the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.
"I look forward immensely to the opportunities that this year will present."
Sinn Fein councillor Mary Ellen Campbell has been appointed Belfast's new deputy lord mayor.
