NINE-year-old Joshua Parry has designs on becoming mayor one day.

And the youngster has already taken a step in the right direction by throwing himself into fundraising for charity.

Joshua, of Eldene, attends Hatherop Castle School, near Cirencester, where he learned about the British Heart Foundation during a theme week.

He wrote to his headmaster asking to organise a read-a-thon in aid of the charity, but unfortunately one was already planned for another charity.

Joshua’s mother, Barbara Parry, said: “The headmaster was impressed with Joshua’s letter and kindness and so the school council decided the British Heart Foundation would be one of the three nominated charities during this academic year.”

A fundraising day was held at the school in aid of the charity and Joshua cooked up a treat, with a little help from his mum and sister, Lucy, creating their own biscuits to sell to other pupils. They raised £50 and Joshua was invited to the mayor’s parlour at the Civic Offices to hand over the cheque.