The Watford Conservatives have announced its deputy chairman will be running as a mayoral candidate next year.

Binita Mehta-Parmar has been selected to run for the Tories when the elections for Watford's next mayor take place in May 2022.

Mrs Mehta-Parmar is a former councillor in Watford and the last leader of the Conservative group on Watford Borough Council.

She was born in Watford and attended Watford Girls' Grammar School.

After being selected as a mayoral candidate, Mrs Mehta-Parmar said: "I am deeply honoured by the nomination to be Mayoral Candidate for my hometown in next year’s elections. I was born in Watford, bred in Watford, and having spent my whole life here, I believe in our town of Watford, because this town has made me who I am and I am passionate about the vast potential of our community."

Watford Observer: Binita Mehta Parmar outside Watford Town Hall. Credit: Hoss PhotographyBinita Mehta Parmar outside Watford Town Hall. Credit: Hoss Photography

Watford's current mayor is Peter Taylor, who was elected by the voting public after being selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate in 2018.

The Tory candidate then was George Jabbour, who finished third, behind Labour's Jagtar Singh Dhindsa, who is a councillor in Vicarage ward.

Watford Conservative MP Dean Russell said about Mrs Mehta-Parmar's selection: "Binita is truly passionate about Watford. She is dedicated to the town and has been actively involved across the community for many years. She understands the needs of local people and businesses. Binita’s energetic approach combined with a strong sense of civic purpose means she is a powerful champion for our town."

Watford Observer: Binita Mehta-Parmer, who stood to be a councillor in the recent local elections in WatfordBinita Mehta-Parmer, who stood to be a councillor in the recent local elections in Watford

Mrs Mehta-Parmar's family all live in Watford and they have a family community pharmacy business based in the town.

She is a founding school governor of Lanchester Community Free School and is a trustee for Watford Palace Theatre, as well as an active member of Watford Hindu Group, which her grandparents helped found in the 1980s.

Mrs Mehta-Parmar was elected to Watford Borough Council in 2014, becoming a member of the borough major projects board, and then being elected as the most recent Conservative Group Leader at the council. She works as head of partnerships for a charity.