A FORMER Lord Mayor of Bradford is to stand trial at Leeds Crown Court next week, charged with misconduct in public offence.

Naveeda Ikram, 44, pleads not guilty to the single charge said to have taken place between November 1, 2014, and August 31, 2015.

Ikram, of Rooley Crescent, Odsal, Bradford, became the first UK's female Muslim Lord Mayor in 2011.

She was present in court yesterday when the case was adjourned until Monday, November 27, by Judge Geoffrey Marson QC after legal discussions which have lasted several days.

Judge Marson said the jury would be selected from a panel of up to 35 members of the public for the trial that would last up to two weeks.

Ikram is accused of seeking contracts for Nexus Assist and failing to declare an interest in that company while an elected member of Bradford Council.

She denies any wrongdoing.

Ikram resigned from the Council on November 15, a day before she would have been automatically removed for failing to attend meetings for six months which she said was due to ill health.