A CURRY house owner has become the first elected president of the town’s Bangladeshi Association.

Abdul Kahar, formerly treasurer of the association, said it was the first time in the organisation’s 26-year history its president had been elected and not appointed.

The 55-year-old owns three curry restaurants, including Spice of Asia in Lyneham and Shrivenham’s Gulshan Brasserie. He emigrated to the UK in 1979.

Old Town resident Mr Kahar was sworn-in as president at a special event at the Punjabi Community Centre on Sunday.

He said: “I have been involved in the Bangladeshi Association since it started.”

It was at Mr Kahar’s suggestion that the association introduced the elections earlier this year.

“We need democracy. We need to protect it in our community,” he said.

The father-of-five wants to use his two year tenure as president of the association to encourage more young people to get involved.

“Young people need to know about the culture of Bangladesh," he explained.

"They need that diverse culture. We promote multiculturalism to young people. They are British Bangladeshis, they need to know about Bangladeshi culture.”

The association runs weekly classes, teaching Bengali, sports sessions and trips away.