FORMER bobby turned best-selling author Mike Pannett has been granted a new honour - as an official patron of Yorkshire.

The writer of Now Then Lad and You’re Coming With Me Lad, he was granted the title by tourist body Welcome to Yorkshire.

And he joins the illustrious ranks of fellow patrons who include the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, former Tory leader William Hague, cricketer Michael Vaughan and TV veteran Michael Parkinson.

Mike, who served in both the Met and North Yorkshire police forces - latterly as the wildlife officer in Ryedale - lives near York with his family.

"It’s a great honour to be asked to become a patron," he said.

"Basically, it’s to fly the flag for Yorkshire and promote it on a national basis which, being Yorkshire, isn’t going to be too difficult to do as it’s such a beautiful place to live in, work in and visit.

"While doing talks up and down the country I can throw in useful and interesting facts about Yorkshire to help in general promotion."