The mayor of Oldham has announced he is reducing his involvement in civic commitments to care for his family after his wife was diagnosed with a "very serious illness".

Cllr Zahid Chauhan, who became mayor in May, has announced this week that his wife Afsheen, the mayoress of Oldham, is no longer able to support him in his position as mayor following her recent diagnosis.

In an emotional statement released on Monday, Cllr Zahid Chauhan said his family has been left “devastated” by the news and that he will be supporting his wife and their three children during this “difficult time”.

He said: “In the last few days, my dear wife, Afsheen, the mayoress of Oldham, has been diagnosed with a very serious illness which means she is unable to support me in my position as Mayor.

“Following this news, I have taken the decision to reduce my involvement in civic commitments as the Mayor of Oldham during this difficult time so that I can support my wife and our three children.

“This decision is not one I have taken lightly, as holding this role is one of the greatest honours of my life and I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it so far.

“However, as a husband and as a father, I am sure people understand that my devastated family and young children need me now more than ever.

“I trust my good friend and colleague, Cllr Eddie Moores, will do a fantastic job as deputy mayor during occasions when I am understandably unavailable.

“In the meantime, thank you to everyone who has sent in messages and phone calls of support so far.

“We politely now ask people to respect the privacy of my family and I during this time, thank you.”