Richmond swore in a new Mayor last night, the first British-American to occupy the role.

Cllr Nancy Baldwin, the borough's 55th mayor, won her council seat in the May 2018 election, representing North Richmond for the Liberal Democrats.

A Richmond resident since 1985, she begins her Mayoral year after a varied career in which she has worked as a banker, teacher, entrepreneur and actor.

Cllr Baldwin said: “I am thrilled to be spending the year celebrating all the wonderful things that the people of Richmond do to make life in our borough an inclusive and kind place to call home.

“My chosen charities, Home-Start and OK Music Trust, do fantastic work locally and have touched many local residents. It is my hope that this mayoral year will result in a greater focus on their excellent work and the good works of all our volunteer and community groups.”

Cllr Baldwin lives with her husband Adrian and has two sons, Peter and Andrew, who attended local schools and remain in the capital.

Over her 12 month term, she will be raising money for her chosen charities: Home Start and OK Music Trust.

Home-Start provides assistance and support to young families who are in struggling with the demands and stresses of parenting young children.

Parents with very young children may suffer from isolation and experience difficulties coping with their children’s needs. Home-Start volunteers support these families to develop coping and parenting skills which can help build happy resilient families.

OK Music Trust provides music therapy and projects to children, young people and adults with physical, learning, neurological or psychological difficulties.

A small local charity, OK Music Trust allows these children and adults to express themselves and find community through music.

Claire Leonard, Fundraising and Marketing Co-ordinator for Home-Start Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow said: “We’re delighted to have been chosen as one of the Mayor's charities this year.

"It is a wonderful opportunity for us to increase the awareness of our work, with the proceeds furthering the support we deliver to struggling families across the borough.

“We look forward to working with the Mayor, her team and the Otakar Kraus Music Trust on an exciting year ahead of activities.”

Clare Lawrence, Director of The Otakar Kraus Music Trust said: "We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the Mayor's charities, which will allow us to raise the profile of OKMT and the benefits which Music Therapy is bringing to the community."

Cllr James Chard, a councillor for Twickenham Riverside, will serve as Deputy Mayor.