A Keighley councillor who drove a ten-ton truck to Bosnia at the height of the country's conflict has been installed as Bradford's new Lord Mayor.

Councillor Irene Ellison-Wood, 66, took up the position on Tuesday.

However, the post is unlikely to hold too many fears after her experiences in Bosnia.

In 1995 she was asked to help take medical supplies and clothes to the war-torn state.

She agreed, even though she had never driven a vehicle of that size.

"It was a pretty scary experience," she said.

"Mines were being blown up around us and driving conditions were atrocious. Most of the roads were just dirt tracks.

"We slept in the trucks and life was pretty uncomfortable, but we all felt the effort was really worthwhile."

On her return, Cllr Ellison-Wood helped set up Bradford Council's Sarajevo Project, which provided help in rebuilding services in the city at the end of the war.

The chosen charities for her year in office are Manorlands hospice and the Bradford branch of the Arthritis Research Council.

Cllr Ellison-Wood's father, two of her brothers and two aunts died from cancer and her son Christopher, 43, suffers from arthritis.

"I know all about the anguish that goes on behind the scenes when someone is suffering from cancer, and the help and support that hospices like Manorlands give to both the patients and their families," she said.

"I hope during my year of office we can raise enough money to help improve the lives of people struggling to cope with both illnesses."

Manorlands hospice manager Sue Hesse said: "We are absolutely delighted that the Lord Mayor has chosen Manorlands.

"We rely on donations for the majority of our income, and every penny raised for Manorlands as part of the appeal will be spent here at the hospice."

Born in Manchester, Cllr Ellison-Wood came to Keighley in 1964.

"It's a wonderful place - I can't imagine living anywhere else," said Cllr Ellison-Wood, who has been a Labour councillor for Keighley West ward since 1990.

She has a special interest in community and social services issues and has twice been deputy chairman of the former social services committee.

She has also chaired the disability and community health sub-committee.

Her only regrets are that her mother, who died earlier this year, and her youngest son Tony, who died of heart failure at 19, were not there to see her take up the position.

But her other two sons David, 45, and Christopher will be among those giving their support during her year of office.

Cllr Ellison-Wood also served as Deputy Lord Mayor during 2000-2001.

She said: "I want people to realise that as Lord Mayor I will not be a unique person. I will still be an ordinary person and I hope they will always feel able to approach me."