A community activist with a career in education is in line to become Merton's next mayor.

Councillor David Chung will be taking over the role of Mayor of Merton from Councillor Agatha Akyigyina in two months’ time, it has been announced.

The Longthornton ward councillor will officially be given the title at a special mayor making ceremony on Wednesday, May 13.

Born in Guyana, coun Chung moved to the UK in 1965 and has lived in Merton for the past 33 years.

He is a wheelchair user who has been involved in a number of local health campaigns including raising awareness of prostrate cancer.

The councillor, who has served on various committees since first being elected in 1994, said: "It is a great honour to be nominated as mayor of Merton for the coming year.

"I’m looking forward to meeting the many hundreds of people, groups and organisations who make Merton the fantastic borough it is."

"As a resident for many years, it will be a very proud moment for me and my family at the annual council meeting when I officially take on the role of first citizen of the borough and follow in the footsteps of many great mayors before me."

Coun Chung, 70, started his career in education as a teacher before becoming a university lecturer.

He is married and has three daughters and seven grandchildren.