NEWLY elected Waltham Forest Mayor Cllr Anna Mbachu has made one of her first official visits to a Leyton church.

She visited the Redeemed Christian Church of God Redemption Parish, in Grange Park Road, Leyton on May 24 for a special thanksgiving service.

The service was also attended by a number of friends and dignitaries, including barrister Ngozi Njoku, who is the commissioner for women’s affairs and development in Imo State, Nigeria.

Cllr Mbachu, who represents Grove Green ward in Leyton, succeeds Cllr Sheila Smith-Pryor as mayor and formally took office on May 21. She is the first black woman to hold the position of Waltham Forest Mayor.