Selby Town Council has welcomed its first councillor with a learning disability.

Councillor Gavin Harding, 37, who has a mild learning disability, was elected in Thursday’s vote, and said he “wanted to represent people and get things changed locally”.

Coun Harding is a former student of Brayton High School and Selby College, where, in 1992, he was the first person with learning disabilities to become vice-president of the students union.

He pledged to listen to and represent the views of the people who live in Selby North ward, work hard on their behalf, and help make improvements to the area.

In 2001, Coun Harding was involved in the Government’s white paper Valuing People, which looked at equal rights for people with learning disabilities, and more recently worked as co-chair of the National Forum For People With Learning Disabilities, and chairman of a self-advocacy group in Selby for people with learning disabilities.

He said: “I am really proud of being elected. It was really hard work which I really enjoyed doing. During the election campaign I went on just about every doorstep introducing myself to people.”

Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright, who was also re-elected to Selby Town and District Councils, said: “Gavin is a well-known activist, not just for people with disabilities but for the whole of the community.

“I am really pleased for Gavin. I am sure he will make an effective local councillor.”

Coun Shaw-Wright also welcomed two more new members to the Labour group – Coun Graham Gatman, who will assist the council with its strategic development, and Rosie Corrigan. He said: “At 18 years old, she is one of the youngest, if not the youngest, councillors in the county. The addition of these new councillors can only add to the effectiveness of the Labour group on Selby District Council.”