BRADFORD'S ambitious new coroner says he has his eyes firmly set on the future - and his aim of making it the best jurisdiction in the country.

Martin Fleming was keen to leave the controversy of the investigation into the city's former coroner Peter Straker in the past.

Dr Straker resigned in March as a top-level probe into complaints about his conduct neared a conclusion. He had been suspended on full pay in February 2013.

Mr Fleming, who started his new role last month, said: "I am aware of the past. But there is a big line drawn under that. I am only looking to the future.

"I am quite ambitious for this jurisdiction - I want to make it one of the finest in the country. I am looking very much to the future."

The 57-year-old also insisted there was no pressure piled on because of the Straker link.

"I don't think it is added pressure," said Mr Fleming. "It is a fresh start for me and the jurisdiction of Kirklees, Calderdale and Bradford.

"It is very important, in order to be making sure that we are successful, to be concentrated on the future. I don't really think it is productive to be focused on the past.

"This is a fresh start - we are moving on."

Mr Fleming praised the office team he has inherited, saying: "I am committed to improving on successes here, with the help of a very hard-working, very dedicated team.

"I am very fortunate to be handed such a team. It makes my transition here so much more easy."

In his personal life, Mr Fleming is married with a 22-year-old daughter. He lives in Whitefield, Manchester - but said he would like to move to the area where he now works.

"I am so impressed with the regeneration here," he said. "When I came up for interview I was champing at the bit to be here.

"Bradford is looking forward - it is a quantum leap from the last time I came her 20 years ago.

"Walking the streets, it is a vibrant place. The charm of Bradford is its multi-cultural aspects. You have a diverse range of people here, everyone living and working together. It is up and coming.

"I would like to live in the jurisdiction and I am looking here for accommodation."

Mr Fleming started his working life in the newspaper industry. He was a messenger boy for the Daily Telegraph in 1973, then a racing statistician with the Sporting Chronicle.

He said that propelled him into further education and he earned a law degree at university in Manchester, before becoming a barrister, and then a qualified court clerk in magistrates. Mr Fleming was then a prosecuting solicitor for Greater Manchester Police, before working for the Crown Prosecution Service, which brought him an interest in forensics.

He left the CPS to pursue coronial interests and has served as assistant coroner in Inner West London, Surrey, Liverpool and the Wirral, and Sheffield, adding: "It is a journey I set out on five years ago."

Mr Fleming added: "I am committed to investigating fully, fairly and fearlessly.

"I know it seems to be corny, but I see myself as a people's coroner - all communities, all faiths, all religions, all colours, all creeds. I am straight-forward. I recognise people are sat there because they are grieving, they have lost someone they love.

"It is a clean slate for Bradford."