Bradford is to make history with the first Asian Muslim woman bus driver, Naz Shah.

The 25-year-old is believed to be the first Asian woman driver outside London and will be taking to the roads of the city after completing her training.

And her appointment has delighted her bosses at First Bradford who hope more Asian woman will follow in her footsteps.

Today Naz of Leeds Road Bradford said her family were proud of her and very pleased she had landed the job with First Bradford.

And Bradford West MP Marsha Singh, the first Sikh to win a seat in Westminster also says Naz's new job is just the ticket.

He said: "I think it is wonderful and it is breaking new ground for Asian women in particular."

Head of the First Bradford training school David Sutcliffe said she had put "heart and soul" into learning the job.

Naz, one of ten children, is following in the footsteps of her brother Lee,who also works for First Bradford as a driver.

She is one of just 11 female drivers in the 350-strong First Bradford workforce, part of First Bus which employs 30,000 staff.

The job is a dream come true for Naz, who weighs just eight and a half stones and will drive a ten tonne bus with the latest technology, carrying up to 70 people.

Naz used to travel to Tong Upper School by bus and says she always wanted to become a bus driver - but thought it could never happen.

But she took the first big step when she passed her driving test and got a car last year.

Then she decided to leave her job as a health care assistant at Lynfield Mount hospital and take to the road.

She said: "I was so pleased I couldn't believe it when I got the job. Things are quite restricted for girls, but my family have been very supportive and my mum is very proud. I love wearing the uniform."

Naz has passed her test to drive passenger carrying vehicles after learning the ropes at the training school in Back Bowling Lane.

First Bradford Operations director Khadim Hussain said today the company was delighted to have Naz on board .

He said: "We want all members of the community to come forward for jobs. The working environment now is far more conducive to women drivers."

Mohammed Taj, branch secretary of the bus crews' Transport and General Workers Union said: "She will be an excellent role model for other young people."

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