A MAYORESS has launched the start of her charity work for the year.

Muriel Rutson was formally made the mayoress of Harwich last week.

For the next year it will be her role to raise funds for her five chosen causes, which have each been personally picked for different reasons.

The charities are: Breakthrough Breast Cancer, the North East Essex Prostate Cancer Support Group, Essex Air Ambulance, Harwich RNLI and St Nicholas' Church, Harwich.

Fundraising got off to a flying start on Saturday, when the mayor and mayoress enjoyed a packed reception of 250 guests, to mark the start of their term of office.

A raffle and donations netted £650. This is going to be matched by Barclays Bank, making the total £1,300.

Her next fundraising event will be a strawberry tea on June 27. The ticket-only event is at 14 Highfield Avenue, Dovercourt, at 2.30pm.

For tickets call Mrs Rutson on 01255 502532.