HARROW'S first black mayor is celebrating her new OBE in style today - with ten magnums of Moet & Chandon champagne.

Councillor Lurline Champagnie, who has served on Harrow Council since 1986, was recognised on the New Year Honours list for her services to local government and diversity.

The Pinner representative, who made history in 2004 when she was elected mayor, lived up to her name by cracking open the bubbly at her house in Westfield Park after being inundated with well-wishers.

Speaking from her home today, the 74-year-old said: "I received the letter on November 14 and it said 'highly confidential' on it. I ripped it open quickly, thinking what have I done? Have I gone and put my foot in it?

"Then I saw what it said in the first couple of sentences and I couldn't believe it. I re-read it and re-read it, just to be sure I hadn't got it wrong. Then, the next day, I answered 'yes, please' and my husband kissed the envelope and we posted it.

"It was such a huge surprise."

Born in Jamaica, Mrs Champagnie came to England in 1956 to train as a nurse, working as sister in charge of the burns and plastic surgery unit at Mount Vernon Hospital, in Northwood, and as a nurse specialist in breast care.

She made a debut speech at the Tory conference in 1982, declaring: “I am Conservative, black and British, and I'm proud of all three.”

At the 1984 conference, she was caught up in the terrorist attacks on the Brighton hotel and helped to treat some of the victims.

When elected to the council in 1986, she became the borough's first black councillor and has gone on to hold a wide variety of positions, including her current post as chairman of the licensing committee.

The mother-of-three became known as the "singing, dancing mayor with the flower in her hair" after being elected to the mayoralty in 2004, for which she attended more than 400 engagements over the course of the year.

In July 2008, she was one of 40 local leaders asked to join a cross-party task force in aid of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) women, founded by Labour Party Deputy Leader Harriet Harman.

Mrs Champagnie said: "She wanted to boost this group and give more power to women to help enthuse and empower them to enter public life, and she thought I would be a wonderful mentor for them.

"I dived right into it and it was a great success."

Husband Clive Champagnie, 68, said: "I am over the moon. I couldn't be happier. She thoroughly deserves it because she is always able to get what she wants and she never stops. She has made a real impact."

Former Harrow councillor Mary John, who worked with Mrs Champagnie for ten years, said: "She won this award because she always pushes to get the right thing done. If she gets an idea, she will hang on until something is achieved."

Neighbour Anne Swinson, 71, who has known the honouree for 22 years, said: "She is well deserving of the award because of her enthusiasm and dynamic personality.

"She has been involved in lots of charities, as well as doing a great deal for diversity. She is a great role model."

Coral Dawkins, 50, from Christ Church Avenue, is currently being mentored by Mrs Champagnie as part of her work for the BAME task force. She said: "The skills she has provided me with are phenomenal. She has actually put me on the front line. Without her help, it would be so much more difficult."

Friend Helen Cooke, from Langland Drive, who has known Mrs Champagnie for 30 years, added: "She has done some marvellous work and was a superb mayor of Harrow. She's a wonderful person and everyone likes her."

Mrs Champagnie has three sons - Canute, 55, Howard, 53, and Mark, 45 - and ten grandchildren. She will receive her OBE at a ceremony later this year.