A new man will take over the town hall’s reins of power this week.

Cllr Richard Watts, currently Islington Council’s executive member for finance, will become leader when he is sworn in at a meeting of the full council on Thursday.

The 37-year-old, who has been a councillor since 2006, will take over from current incumbent Cllr Catherine West, who is stepping down to contest the Hornsey and Wood Green parliamentary seat.

Cllr Watts was voted into the top job by his fellow Islington Labour members at a meeting last night.