The 786th Mayor of Bath has been formally appointed during a traditional ceremony at the abbey.
Passers-by stopped to watch the procession of dignitaries and local councillors as it made its way from the Guildhall through the city centre.
It was led by the Bath Air Cadets Marching Band and welcomed into the abbey by a performance from St Andrew's Primary School choir.
During the mayor-making service former mayor Councillor Andy Furse handed over his chain and robes to the new Mayor of Bath Councillor Malcolm Lees.
Mr Lees, who was born in Bath and is an independent councillor for Weston, said he was honoured to take on such a prestigious role and was looking forward to using his position to help those less fortunate.
He said: "I am immensely proud to be given the opportunity to represent my home city as mayor and first citizen.
"It is usual for the mayor to have a theme and this year it will be vulnerable people.
"There are many people in our city who are struggling to cope. They may be homeless, without a job, there are those with health problems, learning problems and age-related problems and all sorts of disabilities."
Mr Lees added that he also wanted to celebrate the volunteers and charities which helped these vulnerable people.
Mr Furse (Lib Dem, Kingsmead) wished Mr Lees well for the year ahead and thanked everyone who had helped make his time as mayor so memorable.
He said: "It has been a privilege and honour to be Mayor of Bath. I have said to people that if they wanted to be mayor of any city in the UK then Bath would be top of their list."
The hour-long service also saw former deputy mayor Councillor Dine Romero hand over to the new deputy mayor Councillor Ian Gilchrist.
Once the formalities were over the new Mayor of Bath Malcolm Lees carried out his first duties in the role by making Paralympian marathon runner and double gold medalist Steve Brunt a freeman of the city.
He follows in the footsteps of two of Bath's other sporting heroes Jason Gardener and Amy Williams.
Mr Brunt, who was born with only partial sight, had success at both the Seoul and Barcelona Paralympic Games and was a Paralympic Ambassador for last summer's games.
A letter of nomination, which was signed by Mr Gardener, explained why he was so worthy of the honour.
It said: "If the Charter Trustees agree to bestow this honour it would be such a wonderful message to the citizens of Bath.
"Showing that the city recognises a partially blind Paralympic champion who is Bath born and still lives locally, he is someone who has shown that you can succeed even through adversity.
"Steve is very proud of his Bath roots and is always telling people how "proud he is to have been born in Bath", he also mentions this in speeches when he is invited to events."
The mayor-making service was followed by a reception at the Guildhall.
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