PENDLE councillor Asjad Mahmood has been made mayor of the borough.

Coun Mahmood, 35, an MRI radiographer at Burnley General Hospital, took over the mayoral robes yesterday from Coun Nadeem Ahmed in a ceremony at Nelson Town Hall.

His wife of almost seven years, Samina Khan, will be his mayoress.

Coun Mahmood said: “Samina and I are both excited about representing Pendle. It’s a real honour and we’re most looking forward to getting out and meeting lots of Pendle people.”

They will be raising funds for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, in honour of Coun Mahmood’s friend and former colleague, Mary Burke, 48, who died earlier this year.

Coun Mahmood said: “We’ve also chosen to support the Rainbows at the Holden Centre in Barrowford and Derian House Children’s Hospice because we want to help raise money for local children’s charities.”

Coun Smith Benson, 71, has been named deputy mayor. He said: “I’m not sure what to expect but I do know that the next year will be a learning curve for me.

“It feels like a 12-month apprenticeship as I train to become the Mayor of Pendle this time next year.”