Mayor thanks supporters for celebration

THE Oldham Scottish Pipe Band leads the Mayor, Cllr Shadab Qumer, to the Pakistani Community Centre

THE new Mayor of Oldham was surrounded by a crowd of supporters after friends organised a special celebration in his honour.

Around 1,000 residents lined the streets of Glodwick to sing the praises of the Mayor of Oldham Cllr Shadab Qumer, two months into his term in office.

Oldham Scottish Pipe Band led a small procession ahead of the party at the Pakistani Community Centre on Monday night.

The Mayor said: "I was overwhelmed by the amount of support last night.

"Thank you to friends who organised the event but also to everyone from across Oldham who turned out to support me.

"I'm really enjoying the role and it's fantastic to have this wave of support to encourage me in the position of Mayor."

Cllr Qumer was brought up in Glodwick, where his father set up his first business as a grocer in 1963.

He undertook all of his schooling in Oldham and returned to the borough at the age of 21, after studying at the University of Leicester, to set up a carpet and furniture company.

The Mayor is also councillor for St Mary's ward.

• Check out more pictures from the Pakistani Community Centre on our picture sales page.