Ruth Davidson has expressed her delight after being appointed Honorary Colonel of her former British Army regiment.

The Scottish Conservative leader, formerly a member of 32 Signal Regiment, will fill the post for the next five years and will be asked to act as a figurehead, and counsellor and supporter for its leadership team.

She was asked to take on the role the regiment due to her work in the Territorial Army, before she became an MSP, and her consistent support for the reserve forces during her period in parliament.

Ms Davidson has often credited her military background, in particular the instruction she received during her officer training, as helping her political leadership.

The Regiment commands squadrons in Edinburgh, East Kilbride, Glasgow, Belfast and Darlington. She previously served with HQ Squadron in Glasgow.

The post of Honorary Colonel is more usually filled by a retired senior military officer or member of the Royal family, but can be undertaken by public figures, with historian Dan Snow and musician Jools Holland having been appointed to other regiments in the past.