A Bradford shopkeeper has spoken of his pride at being invited by the Queen to a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Ranbir Singh Rai, of Thornbury, is being recognised for the wide variety of work he does in the community.

The 55-year-old, who last weekend was elected president of the Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara Sikh temple on Leeds Road, said: “I am very excited. It is a big honour – I feel proud of myself.

“And I feel proud to have been invited by the Queen.”

He added: “It is for my community work. I have done so much work for communities - and not just the Sikh community.”

Ranbir will attend the garden party with his wife, Nachtar Kaur Rai.

“I was very shocked,” said Ranbir. “It will be a good experience to meet the Queen and her family.”

“I have seen Buckingham Palace from outside but I have never been in.”

Ranbir said he had visited 10 Downing Street and the House of Commons before, as part of the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi.