Cllr George Cooper was elected as the new Mayor of Hillingdon for the 2015-2016 year.

The Conservative party councillor for Uxbridge North, who has lived in Hillingdon borough all his life, was Deputy Mayor for the past year.

He announced his principle charity as Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital's Charity, under a theme of Healthy and Happy in Hillingdon.

Desiree Zimmerman, Harefield community fundraiser for Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity, said: "We are thrilled to get the backing of the Mayor of Hillingdon during Harefield Hospital's centenary year.

The Harefield centenary appeal hopes to raise £500,000 for a "vital" new development.

She added: "The money the Mayor raises will help extend the hospital's Intensive Therapy Unit, meaning that more seriously ill patients with heart or lung disease can be treated by the hospital's specialist staff. The new unit will benefit hundreds of people for many years to come."

The new Mayor praised last years' Mayor for all she had done, having raised over £94,000 for Michael Sobell Hospice.

He said: “It is a great honour to be elected as Mayor and I feel humbled by the actions of my fellow councillors in nominating me for the position.

“It is a daunting task to follow Cllr Catherine Dann, who has discharged her duties as Mayor in what can only be described as an outstandingly dignified manner."

The Mayor will take part in a range of events and activities over the next 12 months and will be working hard to raise money for his charity appeal.

Cllr Cooper also selected five local charities to support: Hillingdon South Society for Mentally Handicapped Children (MENCAP), Uxbridge Child Contact Centre, Hillingdon Brain Tumour and Injury Group, Hillingdon Autistic Care and Support (HACS) and Life Education Centres Hillingdon Ltd.

The Mayoress will be his wife, Cllr Judith Cooper, who is a councillor representing Uxbridge South.

Cllr John Hensley was nominated as Deputy Mayor and his Deputy Mayoress is Mrs Diane Hensley.

The announcement was made at the Annual Council meeting at Uxbridge Civic Centre on May 14.

To donate to the Mayor's causes, send a cheque made payable to Mayor's Charity Appeal 2015/16 to Mayor's Parlour, Civic Centre, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW.