A NEW mayor has been elected for Redbridge - after councillors used a secret ballot to vote for their favourite candidate for the very first time.

Councillor Jim O'Shea was chosen to take over the role later this year after beating Ralph Scott to the post during a tight second ballot held before last night's (Thursday's) full council meeting.

The 66-year-old grandfather-of-two will be confirmed in the post after the May elections, when he hopes to be re-elected as a representative for Monkhams ward.

Cllr O'Shea, of Repton Park, Woodford Bridge, who has fought a long-running battle with cancer, said he can not wait to get started.

He said: "I'm mayor elect at the moment, and not in post yet, but I am looking forward to it.

"In my view it's the number one job in the borough and is really above politics.

"It will be great to get the chance to fly the flag for Redbridge and to concentrate on working hard in the interests of the borough.

"I want to pay tribute to Ralph Scott who would be mayor now if we had been using the first past the post system.

"I have family overseas so this is world news now."