COUNCILLOR Bill Jennings has vowed to to promote understanding between rural and urban communities in his new role as chairman of Wycombe District Council.

Cllr Jennings (Con, Little Marlow), who was voted in as chairman on Monday, has chosen to focus on the community as his theme for his year in office.

He feels there are lessons to be learnt from history in the effort to stamp out religious and racial intolerance.

He said: "To understand the present we must understand the past.

"We've come a long way, but there is still a much longer path to travel."

Cllr Jennings has lived in the district since 1977, when he moved into Abbotsbrook, near Bourne End, with his wife Bridget and four children.

He first became a councillor in 1979 but lost his seat at the 1983 election, before being voted back on to the council during a by-election for the Little Marlow ward in December 1985.

He has been a member of Wycombe District Council since that time.

Cllr Jennings has chaired the council's policy and resources committee since 1999.