BRADFORD'S Janet Bairstow, mother of England batsman Jonny, has been elected as Yorkshire's first female vice-president.

Bairstow, a former police officer who has been an administrator at the cricket club, was elected to the position at the county's annual general meeting on Saturday.

Former Yorkshire pace bowler Mike Cowan was also elected as vice-president.

A club statement read: "Bairstow is the widow of David Bairstow and the mother of Jonny. She has committed her adult lifetime to Yorkshire cricket, including 13 years as the club's cricket department administrator, a post from which she has now retired.

"Cowan played 91 matches for Yorkshire from 1953 to 1962. He took 266 wickets at an average of 24.01. Throughout his career and since Mike has been a popular figure with teammates, members and the wider public. He is a masterly public speaker and has always been a willing contributor to club events."

Former England off-spinner Geoff Cope was voted in for a second year as the club’s president (votes 859 for and nine against), while Robin Smith stood down as chairman after 20 years of service at the club.

Chief executive Mark Arthur, Roger Hutton and Katherine Mathew were all re-elected to the board, while Charlotte Evers was re-elected to the members’ committee.

The 2019 accounts were also approved, as was the appointment of Garbutt and Elliott Audit Limited as the club’s auditor.

Viewers on the live stream of the meeting would have seen members greeting each other with elbow taps due to the coronavirus.

The meeting was paused for 15 minutes whilst they waited for a 20th attendee to arrive in the new Emerald Suite - the number needed, as stated in club rules, to officially ratify things such as the accounts, new vice presidents and changes to the board.