The next Mayor of Redbridge is hoping to use her experience of teaching in her new role.

Roding councillor Felicity Banks said she hopes to meet the borough’s students and pupils.

She added: “I began teaching in Redbridge before it was even Redbridge.

“After the first year of teaching the area ceased to be Essex and became Redbridge so I’ve been around the area from the start.

“I do want to visit schools, especially primary schools as that was my field, but in truth I am anticipating all the work that comes from being mayor and I hope that I can do the borough proud.”

Cllr Banks was elected to the council in 1998 and has been on the regulatory committee, Redbridge Music Service panel and was deputy mayor from May 2010 to May 2011.

She said: “I was highly delighted and highly honoured to be nominated for mayor.

“I had a fantastic year as deputy mayor and I’m looking forward to meeting the people of Redbridge, especially the volunteers and all those people that work hard to make the borough what it is.”

The Liberal Democrat councillor will take over from the current Mayor, Cllr Muhammed Javed, in May.