A former Mayor of an East Lancashire borough has been appointed as a junior housing minister.

Lord Wajid Khan of Burnley has been appointed Parliamentary-Under Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

A former Member of the European Parliament, he was Mayor of Burnley in 2020/21 while serving as a Labour councillor for the borough's Daneshouse and Stoneyholme ward.

Serving under Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, his responsibilities have yet to be formalised.

Lord Khan said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed to such a prestigious position.

“During my time in the House of Lords, I have worked tirelessly to ensure we, as the second chamber of the UK Parliament, examined bills and asked questions of the government.

"In my new role, I will continue to do that but will have a focus on how we can improve the lives of people within the UK.”

In 2021, the University of Central Lancashire graduate and former senior lecturer in community leadership was appointed the youngest opposition life peer in the House of Lords aged 41.

He was nominated for the honour by now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The taxi driver's son has previously been spokesperson for the Labour Party on human rights and has worked on projects to empower women from minority communities, young offenders and homeless people.

Lord Khan served as an MEP for the North West from 2017 to 2019.

While in the European Parliament, he was a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Human Rights Subcommittee.

Professor Graham Baldwin, vice-chancellor of the University of Central Lancashire, said: “We are immensely proud of the work Wajid is doing in the House of Lords and we’re thrilled his efforts have been rewarded with his appointment as Parliamentary-Under Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

“As an impressive alumnus and former staff member, he is a shining example of what our graduates can achieve.”

At this month's full meeting of Burnley Council veteran Liberal Democrat Cllr Gordon Birtwistle suggested Lord Khan be invited to the borough in his new official role to see the scale of housing problems it faces.