The Local Government Association (LGA) has appointed Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson as its new president.

The Paralympic legend and ukactive chair will succeed outgoing president Lord Kerslake, who has held the role for six years, and will be formally elected at the LGA’s General Assembly in July.

A long-time advocate of sport and physical activity, Grey-Thompson was made a life peer in 2010 and was conferred as Baroness Grey-Thompson.

Since then, as a Crossbench Peer, she has used her experience and knowledge during debates in the House of Lords and has spoken on a range of issues including sport, disability rights and welfare reform.

The president of the LGA is a cross-party role and is elected by the General Assembly for up to a maximum of eight years.

Historically, the president has been a Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords, with a background in, or strong association with, local government and a "commitment to the LGA’s priorities".

Grey-Thompson said: “I'm honoured and thrilled to be appointed as the new President of the LGA.

"I look forward to continuing Lord Kerslake’s relentless work to promote and support the important and extensive work of local government within parliament.”