Cheltenham MP Alex Chalk has been officially sworn in as Lord Chancellor.

Mr Chalk was appointed as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice in April.

In a ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice, Mr Chalk took the oath of office, which was read out by Antonia Romeo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice.

The swearing-in was witnessed by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett of Maldon; Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vos; Senior President of Tribunals, Sir Keith Lindblom; Chancellor of the High Court, Sir Julian Flaux; President of the King's Bench Division, Dame Victoria Sharp; and President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane.

Mr Chalk's family were also in attendance.

Alex Chalk said: "It's an honour to be sworn in as Lord Chancellor and a privilege to work with the judiciary. Their service is vital to a safe, free and fair society.

"I'm fully committed to respecting the rule of law, defending the independence of the judiciary and bolstering access to justice."