Bradford University's new Chancellor Imran Khan hopes to use his role to promote racial integration in the city.

The cricket legend turned politician said Bradford is the most important city in Britain for bringing together different ethnic communities.

The 53-year-old said he hoped his appointment as Bradford University's Chancellor would help young Asians in the city feel more involved.

The former Pakistani cricket captain was speaking on his first visit to Bradford since his appointment as the university's Chancellor.

He said, "I think one of the most important things in Britain is the integration with the Asian community. Bradford along with Birmingham and Manchester are the most important cities in the country for this and Bradford is the most important of all.

"I hope my appointment will help make young Asians to feel more included and less victimised."

Mr Khan said the disturbances in France showed the need for Britain to engage with all the communities living in the UK.

He was officially installed as the university's fifth chancellor at a ceremony, taking over from Baroness Betty Lockwood.

He jetted into the city to meet Bradford school pupils for an event designed to inspire young people in the district.

About 500 secondary school pupils packed into the university's Great Hall for a question and answer session with the cricketing legend.

The event called Raising the Game was organised by Bradford University, Bradford Achievement Forum and the Asian Trade Link to raise the aspirations of the district teenagers.

Mr Khan said: "If you have big dreams, and you pursue those dreams and you are not scared to chase them then you can achieve them but if you do not dream or you are too scared to pursue them then you will just become another one of the herd, one of the ordinary people living their lives."

Javed Bashir, of the Bradford Achievement Forum said: "Imran Khan was successful in the field of sport but then instead of living off the money he had made he decided to help people and especially those who need it. He is the best role model you could have."

After the event Mr Khan met pupils at Frizinghall Primary School who had written to him after his appointment was announced earlier this year.

Pupils wrote to him after deciding to name a classroom in his honour. And yesterday he thanked them in person by presenting a signed cricket bat to the school.