A LEADING community figure has been publicly recognised for his role in the fight against racism in Worcestershire.

Waqar Azmi received an honorary degree at the University College Worcester graduation yesterday.

The 31-year-old is currently the chief executive of the Worcestershire Racial Equality Council, but will take up a new post with a global consultancy next month.

Mr Azmi is already an honorary research fellow at UCW but is being recognised with a degree by the Henwick Road college.

"We're delighted to make this award to Waqar for his substantial contribution to race relations and equality issues, not just locally but in the national arena," said principal Dorma Urwin.

His key achievements in Worcester include restructuring the equality council to a countywide initiative, increasing its funding ten-fold and establishing a regional race equality group.

Mr Azmi is also the national convenor of the British Federation of Racial Equality Councils, vice-chairman of the National Rural Race Equality Trust and adviser to a number of organisations.

He was recently appointed by the Home Secretary to the public inquiry into the riots in Oldham.