THE new Lord Mayor of Bradford has spoken of her excitement over taking on the role.

Councillor Doreen Lee (Lab, Keighley East) took on the role as civic leader of Bradford at at the annual meeting of Bradford Council this morning.

She takes over the role from Cllr Zafar Ali, another Keighley Councillor who held the role for the past 12 months. It makes her the third Keighley Councillor in three years to be made Lord Mayor, and Cllr Lee said there must be "something in the water in Keighley."

She added: "I hope I can play my part in making Keighley proud, and the Bradford district proud. Bradford is such a great place that has so much to offer from fantastic places to see to young entrepreneurs to our older population. I hope to be able to shine a light on them during my year in office. I look forward to getting our and seeing the amazing communities we have in the district."

Former Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe will be chair of her Mayoral Committee, and her consort will be her husband Michael.

Councillor Shabir Hussain (Lab, Manningham) was made Deputy Lord Mayor at the same meeting.

Her Lord Mayor's appeal will support Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals both when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, and when a child is facing bereavement.

She will also create a "pot of gold" that smaller charities and groups will be able to apply for funding from.