A grandfather-of-10 says he is honoured and humbled after a state in the Philippines made him an Honorary Ambassador to Pakistan.

Dr Shaukat Khan, who lives in Leytonstone, was given the title after working with the Muslim government of the Sultanate of Buayan for three years.

The 67-year-old former councillor, who served as the first Asian Sheriff of Nottingham in 1991, will be involved in strengthening ties between the state’s government and the Filipino predominantly Christian government.

Dr Khan said: “I think it is very important to build up relationships between the religions.

“I will be using the UK society as an example of a multi-cultural multi-faith society where we can learn from different cultures.

“Even though there may be hostilities here, in the Philippines they are much greater.

“I will also be helping them to develop their agricultural system because they have a lot of land but they don’t have the know-how.

“I will also be linking them up with universities and trying to improve their trading and their economy.”

Dr Khan is the chairman of the UK’s Pakistan Cultural Foundation and also chair of Walthamstow Migrants’ Action Group.

The father-of-four said even though he has a lot of experience in foreign relations, he did not feel up for the job when he was offered it.

He said: “When they told me they were making me Honorary Ambassador I was honoured and very humbled but I felt that they should choose somebody more learned and much greater than I am.

“But they said no, you have been helping us for the past three years and we choose you.

“I will have to travel to the Philippines a few times a year and also to Pakistan.

“But my family are happy for me and they are excited and my daughter will be helping me with my work.”