ANDREW Stephenson, Pendle's MP, has become the vice president of the Conservative Friends of Bangladesh.

The group aims to ‘develop a meaningful relationship between the Conservative Party, the British Bangladeshi community and Bangladesh.’

In 2011 Mr Stephenson led a team volunteers to teach English in Bangladesh.

The volunteers visited several schools, teaching thousands of children.

Last year Mr Stephenson submitted a petition against the fighting in Myanmar to the foreign and commonwealth office and has successfully lobbied for more funding of humanitarian aid in the region.

Mr Stephenson said: "I feel honoured to have been appointed as vice president and I am delighted to be able to continue to serve the Bangladeshi community.

“The excellent work done by the Conservative Friends of Bangladesh in bringing our communities closer together cannot be underestimated."