A new chief minister has been sworn in, in the Indian state of West Bengal, marking an end to 23 years of rule by the veteran Marxist politician, Jyoti Basu.

Mr Basu, who is 86, is leaving office because of ill-health.

At a ceremony attended by a host of leading politicians and artists, the new chief minister, Buddhadev Bhattacharya, took his oath of office in Bengali - the first chief minister to do so.

Mr Bhattacharya had been the deputy chief minister for many months and was in charge of law and order.

West Bengal Governor Viren Shah also renewed the oaths of office of the 43 member council of ministers.

"I know that there are difficult times ahead of us. We have to think jointly and work jointly to pass the hurdles and fulfil the aspirations of the people," the new chief minister said.

Fresh elections are due in West Bengal next year and the ruling communists are expected to face a strong challenge.

Mr Basu has said that while he may have given up the post of chief minister, he was not retiring from active politics.