Arshad Mahmood, 52, was nominated mayor-elect at last night's meeting of Calderdale Council and is due to take over as civic head in May. The father of five will announce his deputy in the New Year.

Coun Mahmood said: "It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the people of Calderdale and of Park Ward especially.

"I am delighted that my fellow Labour councillors have chosen to nominate me, giving me the opportunity to celebrate as Mayor, the many achievements of our towns, schools, villages and businesses.

"As Mayor, I would hope to support people from every part of our community in Calderdale and build the understanding and common purpose that will help us to build a community where everyone is able to work well and live together for a stronger and more prosperous future.

"My ambition for Calderdale Council is that it continues to be an organisation that unleashes the many talents we have."

Halifax Labour MP Linda Riordan said: "I am delighted and very proud that we are to have as our mayor someone from the Asian community. It is good news for Calderdale and the wider region."

Councillor Nader Fekri, who was born in Iran and was last year's Mayor of Hebden Royd, welcomed the appointment, which he said would give a huge boost to ethnic minorities who have made their home in this country.

He said he thought such a prestigious appointment was long overdue.
Since it was formed in 1974, the council has had only one non-white civic leader.

Mohammed Najib was the first Asian to be elected to the council in 1986 and three years later he became the Deputy Mayor of Calderdale.

But he never made it to the top spot and earlier this year lost his seat in Park ward after Coun Mahmood, who lives at Hampden Place, Halifax, was elected in Park ward in 2004 and was re-elected in 2007.

He moved to Halifax from Pakistan when he was 13.

Earlier this year, he became deputy leader of the council's Labour group.

He works as a part-time taxi driver and is a member of the council's audit and planning committees.

He represents the council on the board of Action Halifax, the Halifax Opportunities Trust and the Local Government Association Urban Commission.

Councillor Mahmood has recently been involved in a project to alter and improve the Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith Mosque, in Hopwood Lane, Halifax.

The aim is to convert a vacant warehouse into a washroom, to be used by families to prepare loved ones for burial.

It will be a lot bigger than the current facilities at Madni Mosque, in Gibbet Street.

The move comes 23 years after Britain's first Asian mayor was appointed.
Braford councillor Mohammed Ajeeb became Lord Mayor in 1985.