The outgoing Mayor of Wandsworth leaves his post this week after raising £40,000 for charity.

Councillor Adrian Knowles will hand over the mantle to a new councillor on Thursday, May 16, waving goodbye to a year which has seen the Olympics, Paralympics and Diamond Jubilee hit Wandsworth.

He freely admits enjoying every moment but is looking forward to a break, with the next mayor-making ceremony being his 526th engagement.

During his own ceremony last year, Coun Knowles vowed to sweep away with the traditions associated with the role.

Instead of the formal lace robes he has donned a black suit and livery collar, but has brought in a new tradition of wearing robes on Remembrance Sunday.

He has also updated the mayor's pins initiative by adding anyone who receives the honour to a list displayed on the council website.

The pins are given out to pillars of the community which bear the crest of Wandsworth.

Coun Knowles said: "Before I became mayor and all of the time I have been mayor I have been bowled over by the goodwill that people display.

"Loyalty - it's something I have seen in abundance this past year. Not to the nation or the council - loyalty to other people, loyalty to organisations, loyalty to charities."

The mayor's highlights include the Olympic Torch relay and sitting in the Royal box at Wimbledon tennis.

He said: "My best gig was in Tooting Common when the Olympic torch arrived. In terms of engaging with an audience, I rocked.

"Afterwards I thought 'oh my god what have I done'. The compère who introduced me was so flat, but the crowd just lifted me."

His chosen charities the Royal Marsden Hospital and Oak Lodge School for the deaf, in Nightingale Lane, Balham, will benefit from thousands raised during the year.

After handing over the role he will return to being ward councillor for Roehampton and Putney Heath.

The new mayor will be elected on Thursday, May 16, during the mayor making ceremony at Wandsworth Town Hall.