REDBRIDGE has a new mayor in the shape of Conservative Cranbrook ward councillor Ashok Kumar, who was elected unopposed at a ceremony in Ilford Town Hall.

Cllr Kumar has worked both as a teacher and for the Inland Revenue, and finished top of the poll in his ward at the council elections at the start of the month.

Nominating him for the post, Redbridge cabinet member for planning and regeneration, Cllr James Leal said: "Over the past four years he has acquitted himself superbly.

"He's been an assiduous representative, a diligent ward councillor, and can rightly claim credit for many improvements in Cranbrook."

Cllr Kumar came to Britain in the 1960s with his parents and after moving to Redbridge in 1980, became involved in the Ilford Hindu Centre.

He was invited, as a representative of the centre, to the House of Commons by John Major in 1997, a visit which spurred his interest in politics.

Lib Dem leader Cllr Hugh Cleaver said he was disappointed that the mayor would be a Conservative for the fourth year running.

In pledging his party's support, he added: "The mayoralty is now unfortunately decided behind closed doors which I think is very sad, particularly for Cllr Kumar who's very well thought of.

"Over the past few years the Conservatives have rather reduced the authority of the mayor. I hope they will change their position and I won't have to make this speech in future years."

Cllr Jim O'Shea was named as the deputy mayor, and will be accompanied on mayoral duties by his wife Mary.

In accepting his new role Mr Kumar said: "This is a very special day for my mother and father who worked very hard to give their children a good education and enabled us to contribute to the society of this country.

"I personally would like to thank the outgoing mayor and mayoress and deputy mayor and mayoress for serving the borough in the last year."

Cllr Kumar, who took over from the Cllr Charles Elliman, is married to Nisha and has four children.