Three decades of community service in the police and a lifelong love of Broadstairs will serve councillor David Lawson well in his new role as its Mayor.

Cllr Lawson grew up in Broadstairs and was a pupil at Haddon Dene School and St Lawrence College.

The Conservative district councillor joined the Merchant Navy and worked for an advertising company before joining Kent Police, aged 31.

He served as a uniformed sergeant, detective sergeant and detective inspector, ending up at headquarters as acting chief inspector and retiring in 2005. His work took him all over the county including stints in Thanet and Canterbury.

Cllr Lawson, 64, loved the job in general, thoroughly enjoying a spell on the flying squad.

In just the first couple of weeks of service as Mayor, he attended 10 engagements ranging from Ramsgate and Margate Mayor-making to attending lunch for the junior chef competition at Thanet College, speech day at St Lawrence College and St Peters Village Tour.

His chosen charity for the year is the Alzheimer’s Society. His mother died from the disease and he very well aware of the needs of sufferers, their families and carers.

Cllr Lawson’s wife Julia has chosen the Guide Dogs For The Blind Association as the Mayoress’s charity - a fitting choice for a former Irish wolfhound breeder who with her husband used to puppywalk for the police.

For the full story, see the Thanet Extra, out on Wednesday, June 11.