Councillor Meena Bond has been was formally invested as mayor of Richmond.

Coun Bond, who has lived in the borough since 1971, also announced Stephen Speak as her deputy at Tuesday’s full council meeting.

She said: “I am honoured to be the borough’s 48th mayor. I have lived in this area for nearly all my life and I truly feel blessed to live here.”

Coun Bond has been a member of Kew ward since 2010 and previously worked in recruitment. She founded an after-school craft club and was involved with several charities.

As mayor, she will support Avenue Club in Kew and Home-Start Richmond.

She said: “Home-Start Richmond trains volunteers to support children and parents when they are experiencing issues such as post-natal depression, low income or a disability.

“The Avenue Club is a charity of more than 330 members. They provide a social life line for older people in the Kew area.

“Both of the charities are very close to my heart and I will do all that I can over the next year to help raise as much money as possible.”