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West Yorkshire's first Asian female High Sheriff has been sworn in.

Prof Adeeba Malik, from Bradford, was appointed to the role during a ceremony at Leeds High Court on Monday.

The Office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular office in the United Kingdom after the Crown, and dates from Saxon times.

Prof Malik, whose duties will include attending royal visits in the county, said it was an "enormous honour" to take on the "important" year-long role.

Born to Pakistani parents, Prof Malik began work as a teacher in Bradford and Hull and for the past 32 years has been involved with the QED Foundation, which works to "improve the social and economic position of disadvantaged communities".

She was awarded an MBE in 2004 for her work with ethnic minorities and businesses and a CBE in 2015 for services to community cohesion.

Prof Malik said: "I look forward to serving my home county and meeting the many different people who do so much good for West Yorkshire.

"It will be a privilege to support those who work so hard in crime prevention, as well as those from the public, private, community, charity, and voluntary sectors, who create such positive impact for the region."

The Office of High Sheriff dates back more than 1300 years when the holder of the title represented the monarch, collected taxes, raised armies and was the rule of law across the county.

The non-political role also involves recognising people making a positive difference in their community with awards.

Prof Malik added: "I know there is so much good work taking place by so many different people, and I want to acknowledge that in my year as High Sheriff, and champion those people who do great work across our communities."

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