An Ashby de la Zouch Town Councillor celebrated International Women's Day on Friday with a talk about her journey into politics.

Speaking at an event organised by the Women Empowerment Network (WEN UK), Damilola Ojuri spoke about moving to this country from Nigeria and how she was encouraged to make a difference within the community.

At the same event, Damilola was awarded WEN UK Ambassador Ashby for giving back to the community and helping women find their voice.

Damilola was born in Nigeria and moved to the UK in 2008. She studied computing at Southampton Solent University and has been working in IT for nine years.

While she was at university, she was only one of two women in computing. In her first job after university, she was the only black person and the only female in the company.

Damilola's journey into politics began after she moved to Ashby, in search of a new home and an environment suitable for a growing family.

The pastor at the church she regularly attends spoke about how we can all make a difference within our community.

He suggested joining the fire service, community police or politics and spoke about how more people of colour and women volunteering with these organisations would encourage confidence when dealing with them.

Damilola said: "I was keen to make a difference, to represent people without a voice and to represent people of colour in politics.

"After discussing this with my family, we agreed I would become more involved with politics and join the Labour Party."

The opportunity arose to stand as a candidate in the local elections and after talking with some existing councillors, Damilola stood as a candidate in the local elections in May. Damilola was not optimistic about success.

She added: "I didn't really think I would be a councillor today, due to being a woman, a black woman, and there not being many BAME individuals in Ashby."

But Damilola was wrong. She won and is now a Town Councillor for the Ashby Holywell ward.

She said: "I sat back and was thinking, with all the negative experience I had as a black person in England, moving to a white dominated area, why would they vote for a woman who is not English.

"My name immediately tells you that I am not white British, but the town of Ashby De la Zouch gave me a chance.

"As a woman, and person of colour, this gave me a confidence boost that regardless of who you are, your skin colour or gender; you need to believe in yourself so that others can believe in you too."

"I am grateful to the town of Ashby for giving me a chance to represent them, and I will try my best with God's help to make Ashby proud."

Chris Smith, Leader of Ashby Town Council, said: "Damilola is the youngest Town Councillor and the first black woman to have a seat on the Council.

"She has made a really positive start on the Council. Ashby has not heard the last of Damilola!"