Harrow's new mayor is an actor with an international following.

Harrow Borough Council appointed its new mayor at its annual meeting at the Civic Centre, off Station Road, Harrow, this evening.

Councillors Graham Henson and Barry Kendler nominated actor Cllr Krishna Suresh to replace outgoing mayor Councillor Ajay Maru.

Cllr Suresh was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka and is known as London Baba to his fans,

Cllr Henson said: “I am proud to support Krishna as being the Mayor of Harrow, as he has been a hard working community member in Harrow for more than 20 years.

“I can’t recall him moaning or groaning about anything – he has a positive, can-do attitude and always looks for the positive in everything.”

Cllr Kendler said Cllr Suresh has "championed the community he served" in Rayners Lane.

Cllr Suresh was elected as the new Mayor for 2015/6 with 32 votes, and accepted the Mayoral robe, chain and medallion of office before signing the Declaration of Acceptance.

Speaking to the chamber, he said: “Today is a very proud day for me and my family, because I have achieved something that I have wanted to do for a very long time – serve the people of Harrow.”

The new mayor announced his two charities for the year as the Harrow Association for Disabled People, and the Harrow Young Musicians, before thanking his supporters, fellow councillors, guests and friends and family – many of whom had travelled from Sri Lanka and Canada to be at the ceremony.

His wife Sasi Suresh was invested with her chain and a bouquet of flowers, before councillors shared their thanks for outgoing Mayor Ajay Maru.

Responding, he said: “I am thankful to all you who have said kind words about my term.

“I consider myself very fortunate about my mayoral experience – it has been a wonderful year and that which has totally inspired me to carry on my duties.”

Mr Maru and his wife Dina Maru were presented with mayor’s and mayoress’s medallions for their term.

Cllr Rekha Shah was then elected as deputy Mayor after being nominated by Cllr Keith Ferry and Cllr Mitzi Green and receiving 31 votes.

Her daughter Aneka Shah was elected deputy Mayoress, and the Reverend Matthew Stone of St John’s Church in Stanmore was selected as the Mayor’s chaplain.