More than 100 people signed a petition requesting Harrow's new Labour administration follow town hall tradition when selecting the new Mayor.

Custom dictates that a Deputy Mayor is elected Mayor - a non-political ceremonial role as First Citizen of the Borough who also chairs full council meetings - the next year although it is only a non-written practice and is not always adhered to.

Read more stories about Harrow Council or read about Harrow Council's new cabinet committee.

The petitioners want Councillor Camilla Bath, a Conservative ward councillor for Stanmore Park, who was Deputy Mayor last municipal year behind now ex-Independent Labour councillor Nana Asante, to be appointed Mayor of Harrow for this municipal year at Thursday's full council meeting.

But the incoming Labour administration has indicated it intends to propose Councillor Ajay Maru as the Mayor - a decision that it could push through with ease due its council chamber majority.

Charity worker and Mayoress Committee member Dame Asaafu-Adjaye said: “We know Labour has a big majority in the council.

"However we hope they will listen, as they have already said they would, to the community on this issue – and let the Conservative Councillor Bath, who is deputy, become Mayor, and they can propose the deputy from their ranks.

“Although it’s a ceremonial post, there is a lot of work, and the deputy can learn the ropes as an under-study, ready to move into the post of Mayor in 2015.”

More than 280 people signed the written version of the petition and a 100 more added their name to the online version at the avaaz.org campaign site.

The petition was handed in at Labour's offices at Harrow Civic Centre this morning.

A similar situation happened when Labour replaced the Conservatives in the wake of the 2010 local elections.

The 2009/10 Deputy Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Chris Mote, a Conservative, would have emulated his father Harold Mote 45 years earlier if custom was followed and he had been made Mayor in 2010/11, but incoming Labour opted for their own Councillor Asad Omar instead.

Council leader Councillor David Perry (Labour) said: "The people of Harrow elected a Labour administration in the recent elections to run the borough for the next four year cycle, the responsibility which accompanies this is the determination of the mayoralty for the next 4 years.

"Councillor Maru would have been the deputy mayor this year had it not been for the manipulative games played by the Tories this time last year; it is disgraceful that the Tories caused a huge mess to begin with and are now blaming the Labour group for honouring the original decision from 12 months ago.

"Councillor Bath is a hardworking councillor, and a charming lady. However, this decision is in no way a reflection on her commitment to Harrow.

"There have been many occasions in the past where the mayor changes roles outside of tradition and this is another one of those occasions.

"Councillor Maru will serve the residents with pride and distinction. Ajay is well known locally and will play a big part in the local community with his role as Mayor."