The Evangelical Alliance has welcomed the appointment of Baroness Warsi to her new role as minister for faith and communities.

Earlier this year, Baroness Warsi, a Muslim, had warned that faith must not be diluted.

Speaking at the Vatican in February, the former Conservative co-chair, had said that Christians in the UK should be "stronger in their religious identities and more confident in their beliefs".

Last week, she was moved from her role as co-chair and appointed to the new role as senior minister of state at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and minister for faith and communities at the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

Commenting on her appointment, Baroness Warsi said: "For the last two and a half years, I've been making the case for faith and the importance of recognising the role of communities in making us a strong society.

"I'm delighted to be taking up these issues in a ministerial role and look forward to working with Eric Pickles, his ministerial team and across government on this important and sometimes challenging area."

Dave Landrum, director of advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance, said: "The Evangelical Alliance welcomes the appointment of Baroness Warsi to her role as senior minister for faith and communities.

"It is an encouraging sign that the government seeks to take the public role of faith seriously. We look forward to a very fruitful working relationship with her."