ABINGDON’S new mayor Duncan Brown is thought to be the youngest in the town’s history.

Abingdon Town Council believes that at just 33, Mr Brown is the youngest person to hold the ceremonial office in more than 450 years.

The Liberal Democrat, who was elected a town councillor aged 26, will take on the role at the mayor-making ceremony on Wednesday.

Town clerk Nigel Warner said: “We believe him to be the youngest mayor, bearing in mind we go back to 1556 and the collective memory does not stretch back quite that far.

“Our archivist has looked into it and she believes he is, as far as she can see.

“Obviously, for all we know there may have been someone younger in the early days, but as far as we can tell, he is the youngest.”

Mr Brown, who was born and bred in the town, said he wanted to engage with young people during his mayoral year.

He added: “We always say that everybody brings their own skills to the office of mayor and everyone is different as mayor.

“It’s quite exciting to have younger people involved in politics and in the community.

“I’m a very sociable guy so I want to get out and meet as many people as I can.

“There’s an awful lot going on in Abingdon, and I’m going to work as hard as I can to see as many people, shake as many hands and hand out as many certificates as possible.

“To be honest, being the youngest ever is not a hugely big deal to me. A lot of people have said to me that they think I must be, and as far as I’m aware, I am. I’m just happy to be mayor.”

He said he would try to visit as many schools as possible to enthuse young people about getting involved in civic life.

But he added: “I have been told that most 14-year-old lads will probably think I’m past it at 33.”

Mr Brown works as a laboratory manager at Abingdon Eye Centre and also serves as a retained firefighter. He first stood for office aged just 22 while studying at the University of Durham.

His mayor’s escort for the year will be girlfriend Sreeja Bhaskaran, 34.