The Bradford founder of the UK’s leading mouth cancer charity has announced his retirement.

Dr Vinod Joshi, a consultant in restorative dentistry for more than 20 years, worked at St Luke’s Hospital, Bradford, and also in Wakefield.

He is now retiring to live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he began work before coming to the UK in 1978.

Dr Joshi founded the Mouth Cancer Foundation in 2004 to raise awareness of mouth, throat and other head and neck cancers, and has been honoured by his peers for his charity work.

The foundation provides support and information for patients, carers and health professionals through its website and online support group and telephone helpline.

Despite his retirement, Dr Joshi has pledged to continue as the foundation’s chief executive. He will also help out colleagues at the Dental Faculty at the University of Malaya where they are setting up a restorative dentistry oncology clinic for head and neck cancer and other special needs.

“I will also still be voluntary chief executive and founder of the Mouth Cancer Foundation charity and busy myself with its online support group and website,” he said.