PENDLE'S new mayor, Coun Dorothy Lord has vowed to encourage civic pride to bloom in the borough during her year of office.

And outgoing mayor councillor Mohammed Iqbal thanked his detractors for spurring him on to achieve more as mayor.

In an emotional speech at yesterday's mayor-making ceremony, Coun Iqbal said it was down to his late father that he became mayor.

He spoke at Pendle Town Hall and said: "I had a very eventful and successful year as mayor and saw at first hand why Pendle is such a great place to live.

"I would like to thank the people of Pendle who have been over the past year the most wonderful people."

The new mayor, a Horsfield ward councillor, has this year chosen to support a number of charities.

Attended in her duties by mayoress June Aspden and her deputy Sharon Davies, the team will work tirelesly to raise money for the Pendle branch of MIND, the RNLI and to buy equipment for Ward 11 at Burnley General Hospital.

Councillor Lord said: "My theme this year is civic pride in Pendle.

"I hope to spread this message across the whole borough."