An envoy from Blackburn is settling into this role as the British Deputy High Commissioner to the idyllic island nation of Maldives.

Career diplomat Toafiq Wahab has come a long way since starting his career with Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Now working out of the Maldives' capital city Malé, the former St Wilfrid's High student has held senior postings around the world.

He had brief stints with HM Revenue and Customs and Halifax Bank after his council work, before joining the Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office in 1997.

Toafiq, known as Toff, later picked up valuable experience from then-Foreign Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw as he prepared for an assignment in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2001.

One of his first major overseas roles, as head of consular services in Bangladesh, based in Dhaka, was also reported on by the Lancashire Telegraph in 2008.

His more recent work has included being a Private Secretary to the UK Trade and Investment Chief Executive in London, being a British Deputy High Commissioner in Cameroon, and heading up the political, press and public affairs section in Doha, Qatar.

Government officials say his last posting was Head of the British Trade Office and Director of Business & Trade for the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia.

A biography on the government website reads: "A career diplomat, Toff has dedicated his efforts to advancing the full range of UK Government objectives.

"His overseas postings have seen him lead on political affairs, crisis management, and portfolios covering aviation security, counter-terrorism, migration, sports, security, consular, and visa management.

"Additionally, he has significant commercial experience and success, working with senior stakeholders to bolster UK businesses in international markets and engage with senior inward investors."

The Liverpool FC fan, who is fluent in at least seven languages, is also said to be interested in boxing, snooker, reading and travelling.

He also hit the headlines in the Lancashire Telegraph after appealing for help to find shoes to fit his giant size 15 feet.

He has also been a board member of Young Enterprise and a business advisor to schools.