BASILDON mayor Mo Larkin has handed out thousands of pounds to worthy causes to mark the end of the council year.

Mrs Larkin, who is stepping down as mayor next month, presented cheques for £4,400 to each of her five chosen charities.

They are St Luke’s Hospice, Age Matters, Women’s Aid, DIAL and Disability Inclusion Society.

She also gave one-off £500 cheques to Kodosai, a Japanese cultural event, St Nicholas Church, to fund roof repairs, and performing arts school La Danse Fantastique.