Councillor Mick Hayes will serve as the new Deputy Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich for the coming municipal year.

Councillor Christine May has lived in Royal Greenwich, where she has raised her two sons with husband Peter, for more than three decades.  The born and bred South Londoner also spent her early years in Clapham, Battersea and Bexleyheath.

The mum-of-two left school at 16 and worked for the Post Office for more than 30 years initially as a specialist typist and then as the PA to the director of operations. Councillor May later worked for educational charity Learning through Landscapes, The National School Grounds Charity.

The keen sports fan, who represented the county at javelin while at secondary school,is a long term Charlton fan. Her many hobbies and passions include keeping ex battery hens and going on bat spotting walks.

Councillor May has served as a Labour Councillor since 2010 representing the Middle Park and Sutcliffe Ward. Over the years she has held the posts of Chair of the Labour Group and Chair of Housing and Anti-Poverty Group in addition to serving on scrutiny panels and the Eltham and Kidbrooke Area Planning Committee.

The new Mayor's two chosen charities are Emmaus homeless charity in Greenwich and Demelza Hospice Care for Children in Eltham.

'I am really looking forward to representing the Royal Borough in the coming year'

Councillor Christine May, Mayor of Greenwich, said: "I am really proud to be able to accept the honour of serving as the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich. I hope that I will live up to the achievements of all our past mayors and I would like to pay tribute to them.

"I am really looking forward to representing the Royal Borough in the coming year and meeting the residents and community groups who do such amazing work for the benefit of so many.

"My two sons James and David as well as my husband Peter are to support me in my role and we pledge to do everything we can to represent this wonderful diverse borough. My chosen charities support causes close to my heart and so I hope to raise as much money as possible during the year for them."