Councillor Paul Morris has been elected as Hertsmere’s new mayor.

The Bushey representative was unanimously elected at a council meeting at the civic offices tonight.

Hertsmere’s new deputy mayor Bushey Councillor Carey Keates was also elected to the role without any objections.

Cllr Morris has chosen two charities for his year in office - the Langdon Foundation, which supports youngsters with disabilities and the Ben Kinsella Trust, which warns children about knife crime.

Over the next year, he plans to inspire residents to help raise money for the two causes and will be holding charity cycle rides and golf days to help drum up support.

In his first speech as mayor, he told the packed gallery one of his main missions to try and revive the high streets in Bushey, Borehamwood, and Potters Bar that have “not changed with the times”.

The 62-year-old said: “Some of the high streets in the borough are successful and vibrant but some are not.

“This year will give me the opportunity to see and speak to those at grass roots level to hear and understand what is needed and what the various communities want.

“Our high streets cannot compete with the shopping malls or off-town sheds. They have to find their own unique selling point.”

Cllr Morris was named in the 2011 New Year's Honours list for his services to the community in Finsbury Park.

He admitted when he was asked to be mayor, he had “some trepidations” but was keen to be the voice of his community.

The grandfather-of-five told the Times Series: “I have set myself high aspirations for what I feel I can achieve. It is a wonderful opportunity.

“I don’t want to come out of this without having achieved anything first and I know it is going to be a challenging but enjoyable year.”

He credits his new role to fellow Bushey councillor Seamus Quilty, who suggested he enter local politics four years ago.

Cllr Morris, who owns a shop-fitting business, moved to the area 16 years ago with his wife and the couple also have five sons.

He added: “I see myself as marginally politically correct rather than politically incorrect.

“My goal is to get the job done, rather than worrying about the politics behind how I am going to get that job done.”