SEAN Anstee is to become the country’s youngest council leader - at the age of 26.

The Sale resident will officially succeed Councillor Matt Colledge at a special meeting of Trafford Council on March 13.

He will also become the youngest person to lead the council since Trafford’s creation 40 years ago and paid a warm tribute to the man he’ll succeed.

He said: “i think Matt has been a tremendous leader of Trafford Council over the last five years and you can see the impact that he’’s had on trying to make sure that our town centres are regenerated. There are some real achievements that he can point to and they’re big shoes to fill.”

Cllr Anstee, who has already been installed as head of the authority’s ruling Conservative group, said he feels ‘incredibly proud’ and ‘pleased’ to have been elected to both posts.

He’s also fully aware of the future challenges faced by the council in these times of austerity.

Cllr Anstee said: “We’ve proven and demonstrated over the last four years that it is possible to do more with less and to try and come up with new ways of delivering services. There are huge opportunities for us to be able to continue doing that.”

He said his age hasn’t been a significant barrier when it comes to carrying out his duties as a councillor.

Cllr Anstee said: “There’s always going to be an initial reaction to my age from when I was first elected in 2008. I’ve said quite consistently that people need to judge me on what I do, what I achieve and what I deliver.”

In his spare time he’s a season ticket holder at Manchester City FC and enjoys walking and spending time with his family.