MEET one of the youngest mayors in the country – Verwood’s new civic leader Simon Gibson.

Cllr Gibson, 23, was selected by his fellow town councillors to wear the chain of office after proving his worth over the last five years.

He will join mayor of Workington Andrew Lawson, 21, and Margate mayor Will Scobie, 22, as the youngest civic leaders in the UK.

Cllr Gibson joined the town council while studying for an A level in politics at Queen Elizabeth School in Wimborne.

He is also one of the youngest district councillors around, serving on East Dorset District Council as the Stephen’s Castle ward representative, as well as being deputy leader of the Verwood Community Association.

Conservative cllr Gibson, who will be officially elected on May 28, said: “I am very excited.

“I believe that my new role will send a strong message to young people that age is not a barrier to the top jobs and getting them is not impossible.”

Cllr Gibson has served on all the town council committees and is chairman of the Diamond Jubilee Working Party.

And he has been working alongside the mayor Toni Coombs, as her deputy for the past year.

“I have always liked being involved in the community and joining the town council helped me learning for my politics A level,” he said.

“It has been quite nice being the deputy mayor for the past year as it has given me a valuable insight into the role.”

But it won’t be all work and no play for new mayor, who enjoys socialising with his friends and watching Liverpool Football Club’s matches. “I see my friends and watch football like other people of my age.

“I do behave myself, though, when I am out as I think it is important to be a good role model for others,” he said.

Cllr Gibson will combine his ceremonial position – meeting and greeting dignitaries and leading civic events – with his duties as district councillor and his job at Crane Valley Golf Course in Verwood.

His first mayoral role will be visiting all the local schools and handing out special jubilee mugs before fronting the town’s Jubilee Party at the recreation ground on June 4.

He said: “I am just hoping the weather will be good. The party will be one of the biggest events in the town for years.”

Cllr Peter Richardson will become the deputy mayor on May 28.