RACE relations champion Loleita Higgins will be giving a talk at Staffordshire University on Monday.

The mother of former Port Vale defender Anthony Gardner became the first African-Caribbean woman to join Staffordshire Police in 1971.

She will be giving a talk at the Flaxman Film Theatre, in College Road, Stoke, at 5.30pm as part of the Women Who Inspire series of special lectures.

During her time with the police, Loleita served as a school liaison officer and race relations officer.

In 2000, she was awarded the MBE by the Queen for her outstanding contribution to community relations. She retired as a uniformed officer in 2003.

If you are interested in attending the event or would like more information about future events in the Women Who Inspire series, contact Julia Morse at Staffordshire University on 01785 353653 or email public@staffs.ac.uk.