Lancashire’s first female Asian mayor was named Woman of the year at this year’s Fusion Awards.

The Fusion Awards were held on Saturday July 6 at King George’s Hall, Blackburn attracting volunteers, charity workers and sporting talent from across the North West.

Cllr Hasina Khan of Chorley was also the first Asian woman to serve as a councillor in the region back in 2006.

Hasina moved to Chorley from India in the mid-60s with her mother to meet her father who was working in the mills.

In the mid to late nineties, Hasina trained as a Youth Officer working for Lancashire County Council. She went on to manage the advice centre for young people and trained at Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB) as a generalist advisor and first outreach officer.

In 2015 Hasina was awarded the High Sheriff Award by, the then High Sheriff, Amanda Parker.

The award followed 13 years of work as the chair and founder of the Saheliyaan Asian Women’s Forum, a group setup to provide support to victims of domestic abuse and vulnerable women.

Hasina Khan said: "It was absolutely fantastic and I want to dedicate it to all the women of Lancashire.

"It is nice to be recognised and I am not saying it was not without its challenges but it is great.

"I thought I was going to the event as a guest and then I was told that I had been nominated and then a week later I was told that I was a finalist and to win was even better.

"To win the award was great for Chorley as that was the reason I was nominated.

"It gives us a chance to put Chorley on the map and it is great for the people of the town to also be recognised."

Hasina added that she has loved carrying out the mayoral duties.

She said: "It is great to go out to meet all the wonderful people of Chorley.

"There really are some talented people in the area and it is great to get to work with them."