The new Mayor of Croydon was officially appointed yesterday.

Councillor Eddy Arram donned the ceremonial robes for the first time as he became Mayor of Croydon for 2012/2013.

A member of the council for more than 30 years, Coun Arram was elected to represent Ashburton in 1981.

During his years in local government, Coun Arram has been a governor of schools including Shirley High and Ashburton High.

He currently sits on the board at Shirley Park Oasis Academy.

Between 1986 and 1994, as chairman of the libraries, museum and arts committee he oversaw the development and expansion of Croydon's library services to include arts.

The married father-of-two and grandfather-of-three, has chosen the Croydon branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) as his charities for his Mayoral Year.

He has picked MS Croydon as his wife Judith's mother suffered from MS, which has left him aware of how the disease can isolate both the sufferer and the carer.

SSAFA was chosen in recognition of Croydon's long and distinguished connection with the military.

Contributions to either charity can be made by cheques made payable to 'The Mayor's Charity Appeal' and sent to The Mayor's Parlour, Town Hall, Katharine Street, Croydon, CR9 1XW.

Councillor Tony Harris has been appointed Deputy Mayor. Coun Harris, who has represented Waddon since 2006, has devoted 54 of his 74 years to helping young people in Croydon.

Four years after starting voluntary work as a youth worker at the Sir Philip Game Boy's Club in Addiscombe, he chose to make youth work his career.

He became the first full-time youth and community worker at the Old Town Boy's Club- now the Old Town Youth Club and he continues to run the club on a voluntary basis since retiring in 1998.