A councillor who became Bury's first ever female Muslim councillor is now the borough's mayor.

Redvales councillor Shaheena Haroon is the new mayor of Bury for the 2022/23 year.

Cllr Haroon took over the chains of office from the Holyrood councillor Tim Pickstone at the annual Bury Council meeting.

Cllr Haroon was first elected to Bury Council a decade ago in 2012, becoming the first female Muslim councillor in Bury’s history.

She was born in Kalri (Bhimbar, Azad Kashmir) Pakistan into a family that served the British Army, Indian Army and the Army of Pakistan since WWII.

Her political career began in 1983 in Pakistan, helping women in communities where economic opportunities were severely limited.

She supported the homeless and unemployed and became an advocate for women who were wrongly imprisoned.

In 1999, Shaheena and her family moved to the UK and in 2010 was awarded the title of Bury Woman of the Year due to her work and dedication in supporting homeless facilities, acting as an interpreter and supporting domestic violence and abuse victims.

She is a founding member and vice-chairman of Bury Asian Women’s Centre (now Bury Active Women’s Centre) and is currently employed at the centre facilitating support and help to those in need.

Her husband Raja Haroon Khan will serve as the mayor’s consort and her daughter, Cllr Ayesha Arif, will be her mayoress.

Cllr Haroon said: “I am extremely honoured to become the mayor of Bury and am looking forward to my new role over the year ahead.

“I love meeting people from all walks of life, and this is a great opportunity to meet people from all Bury's diverse communities.

“I’m also looking forward to encouraging and supporting local charities and promoting local businesses, attending local community events, youth groups and activities, as well as championing the borough and representing the council at official functions.”

The mayor’s charities will be Bury Veterans Hub, Jigsaw, Bury Hospice, Jinnah Day Care Centre and Bury Defence Academy.

The Mayor's Chaplain will be Imam Hassanat Ahmed from Noor Ul Islam Mosque.

At the meeting, councillors voted to install Moorside councillor Sandra Walmsley as deputy mayor for the coming year.

Medallions were also presented to the outgoing mayor, Tim Pickstone, and his consort Wayne Burrows, in recognition of the service they had given.