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Mavis Smitheman might not conform to the traditional image of a Lord Mayor. Then again, she doesn't look like a great-grandmother either. But she's proud to be both.

Mavis was born and raised in Newton Heath, where she's lived for most of her life and has been a councillor for Ardwick since 2002.

Since being elected to high office in April 2008, she's shaping up to be one of the busiest Lord Mayors around.

In the first half of her year in office, she's clocked up nearly 400 official engagements! We asked her about her life as Lord Mayor of Manchester:

First of all, tell us about the hair…

"I've done it for years. It’s been blue, it’s been red, it’s been pink, it’s been all purple. I've not tried green yet so I'm considering that for St Patrick’s [Day]. And I'm toying with red and white for Christmas."

What’s it like being Lord Mayor?

"Absolutely fabulous! I meet so many people, people I wouldn't normally meet. I've done a lot of visiting elderly people in sheltered accommodation. I always maintain that we always have a laugh wherever we go.

"The kids love it, I've been in schools, I bring kids in, people with learning difficulties I've had them in for afternoon tea; problem children, they've come in and they've loved it. I've given them a guided tour of the Town Hall and they realise that I'm just normal. One kid said to me: “I thought you'd have been really posh!" And I said: "No sweetheart! I'm just normal like you are."

You’ve been to an official visit to China. What did they make of you?

"Fortunately, my hair was just pale pink at the time. And a couple of them had thumbs up saying, 'Lord Mayor, cool!'"

Aug 2008: at the Pride Parade awards

Four hundred official engagements in six months. How many do you a day?

"It varies. Today, I’ve got three, so it’s an easy day. You can have six, seven, eight in a day. I’ve done 12 hour days, 15 hour days – I just keep taking the pills!"

Did you ever imagine being in this role?

"No, not for one minute. In fact, a colleague, a couple of years ago, when my brother came over from the States, said: “She’ll be Lord Mayor one year." And I said: "No way. No way am I doing that." And lo and behold! I was asked to do it, and here I am."

What can you do as Lord Mayor?

"On occasions, it’s publicising whatever they want to promote. So, if it gives added publicity to a charity or a kids’ school or anything for the elderly, then I'm all for it. But, first and foremost, promote the city."

How would you define your role?

"Promoting Manchester. It’s a fabulous city."