JOHN Stevens launched his year as Kidderminster mayor with a traditional Sunday parade through the town.

He walked from the town hall to a service at St Mary's Church and back again, accompanied by new Wyre Forest MP Richard Taylor and Stourport and Bewdley mayors Michael Grinnall and Carol Gittins.

A mace bearer, town crier and associate town clerk Martin Fellows were also in the procession, which was followed by a short civic reception at the town hall.