THE achievement of Allah Ditta in becoming the first Asian Mayor of Worcester has been praised in Westminster.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff congratulated Councillor Ditta in an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons and hopes that his election will encourage more members of ethnic minorities to enter politics.

The 51-year-old, who was born in Lahore, Pakistan, was inaugurated as the first Asian occupant of the 777-year-old post last month.

Mr Luff's praise for Coun Ditta comes in an amendment to an Early Day Motion congratulating the appointment of the first Pakistani/Kashmiri chairman of a district council in England.

Councillor Mahboob Hussain was recently appointed to the position on Wycombe District Council.

Mr Luff backed the original motion, but added: "We should also note the election of Councillor Allah Ditta as the first mayor of Worcester City Council to come from the Pakistani/Kashmiri community.

"I believe that, irrespective of which election actually occurred first, the election of Councillor Ditta and Councillor Hussain demonstrates the determination of their communities to play their full part in civic life.

"I hope that their example will inspire still more members of all minority communities to stand for elected office, both for councils and for Parliament.