The councillor set to become High Wycombe's new mayor has been revealed ahead of a traditional 'weighing in' ceremony. 

Cllr Arif Hussain said it is a "great privilege" to become the town's new mayor and he will be formally welcomed into the role alongside new deputy mayor Cllr Nabeela Rana on Saturday, May 28. 

Cllr Hussain, who was elected to the new Buckinghamshire Council last year, representing the Terriers and Amersham Hill ward, is also the chairman of the High Wycombe Comunity Board and is the founder of the Five Pillars charity. 

Five Pillars was founded back in 2002 and has provided urgent aid in both the UK and abroad during emergency situations and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cllr Hussain said: "It is a great privilege to be nominated by the Charter Trustees as mayor for the 2022/23 mayoral year for the town of High Wycombe. 

"Having lived here for most of my life I am passionate about our town, our heritage, our environment and our surroundings. 

"My aim is to work together with local businesses, local residents and the voluntary sector to improve and enhance the quality of life and to reach out especially to those who are in need.” 

He added: “It is important that we all support our local businesses and take care of our residents. 

"I am really looking forward to promoting the town centre and the economy of the town so that together we can encourage more people to come to visit our great town. 

"Please reach out to me if there is anything I can do to help you. I look forward to working with you all.”

Cllr Hussain will be formally elected at the annual general meeting ot eh Charter Trustees of High Wycombe on Saturday, May 28, before the traditional 'weighing-in' ceremony outside the Guildhall. 

The ancient weighing-in ceremony is well known in Wycombe as residents get to see if politicians and dignitaries have been “overindulging” during their time in office.

The outgoing mayor, Cllr Andrea Baughan, along with other dignitaries like Stev Baker MP will also likely be weighed according to the tradition, in which onlookers boo or cheer depending on whether weight has been lost or gained. 

The annual custom dates back to medieval times and is said to be unique to the town.