For the first time in the history of Helston the town is to have a female macebearer.

Amanda Boxer has been appointed to the role following the resignation of Nigel King.

Her first official duty will be the mayor making ceremony next month, when Mike Thomas will hand over to Gillian Geer.

Mrs Boxer said: "I was interested to see if a woman would be accepted and I'm really pleased that we are moving forward with a woman being given an equal opportunity to apply, for which I'm grateful.

"I've always admired the historic pageantry that we have in Helston. I really do believe it's an important part of history and it's a very proud time. It should be that we keep these traditions."

Historically the role of macebearer is to protect the mayor and regalia, wielding the weapon if required.

These days it is more of a ceremonial position, but Mrs Boxer joked: "I do consider myself still reasonably fit and able to do so!"

Mrs Boxer, who was born and bred in Helston before moving away for work, returned to the town in 2013 as project assistant to then town manager Jonathan Birkett.

However, with the winding down of the Helston Business Improvement Partnership last month that job has ended and she now works two days a week working for the Heritage Lottery Fund project to restore the Grylls Monument, as an education officer.

"I wanted to find some way of serving the community and still being part of it. I just thought it was a nice thing to do," she explained. "I also do like a bit of a challenge."

This is just one of a number of 'firsts' she has achieved. She was the first woman to play in her college cricket team in Cheshire and the first woman to be invited back to Ancient Olympia by the Hellenic Olympic Committee, to work for the Greek Olympic Committee, having originally gone there with the British Olympic Association.

Mrs Boxer will take on the role alongside other macebearer Fred Angove, who has held it for many years.

"I'm looking forward to getting some top tips on macebearing from him," she added.