Jonathan Radford-Gaby praised the people of Helston as he stood down after two years as mayor.

He was speaking after handing over to Mike Thomas, who presented him with a town plaque as is customary to retiring mayors.

Mr Radford-Gaby said: “When I took over two years ago I dedicated my term to the people of Helston, because I said that as lovely and architectural as Helston is it’s nothing without its people.

“I tell you what, I have not been disappointed.”

He praised the Epworth Hall and the “fantastic productions” staged there, Helston Museum and its volunteers, and the newly formed CAST (Cornubian Arts and Science Trust), together with the “massive amount of voluntary work” that took place in the town.

Other organisations included the Helston Business Improvement Partnership, its aesthetic group that organised the Town Tidy Week, the Rotary clubs who repainted the town’s white washed walls for Flora Day, the Christmas lights committee and the Flora Day Association.

“The one thing that binds them all together is that we have groups working together for the benefit of this wonderful town,” he said.

“Helston is, in one sense, unique. That is one of the things I’ve found out in the two years of my office. It has been a huge pleasure to serve as mayor and to become involved with all these groups and many, many more.”

Mr Radford-Gaby said he had just “one regret”, which was that he did not see the planned rebuild of Helston Community College’s C-block during his term of office.

He said: “I hope, most sincerely, that in my time on this council the tide shifts and we see a properly built C-block for the students of this town, because they deserve it.”

He also thanked the office staff and the “calming influence” of his chaplain, the Rev Dorothy Noakes, alongside town council members for their support over the past two years, adding that he was happy to hand over to the “very capable administration” of Mr Thomas.