Former council officer Allan Hillary is expected to make civic history by becoming Bradford's first Liberal Democrat Lord Mayor.

Coun Hillary, elected in the Bolton ward in 1994, is due to take over from Coun Richard Wightman in May, subject to the Council's final approval.

His role as first citizen will mark the latest chapter in his 39-year association with Bradford Council.

Coun Hillary joined the children's department of the Council in 1964 before becoming a manager in Social Services in 1972. He worked in different areas of the city until 1992.

He is Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Bradford Council and is also his party's lead member on the youth service and on the West Yorkshire Fire Authority.

His wife, Pauline, a retired teacher, will become Lady Mayoress.

Bradford-born Coun Hillary is only the third Bolton ward councillor to become Bradford's Lord Mayor.

Coun Hillary said: "It is a wonderful honour to be elected as the next Lord Mayor and I am grateful to the people of Bolton ward who have supported me over the last nine years.

"Pauline and I are very much looking forward to serving the Council and representing this great district. The highlight of our year will be the chance to meet people from the different communities of Bradford."

Coun Hillary, 66, trained as a radio television engineer at Bradford Technology College in the early 1950s before developing an interest in sociology and childcare. He attended Newcastle University as a mature student.

This year's Mayor making is at the Council's annual meeting on May 20.