THE Mayor of Bolton has described attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace as an unforgettable experience.

Cllr Martin Donaghy and his two Mayoresses Gay Wharton and Jacqueline Tracy joined dignitaries from across the country at the Palace on Tuesday, Prince Phillip’s 93rd birthday.

Along with enjoying cucumber and mint triangle sandwiches, Cllr Donaghy saw Her Majesty the Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge, and was given a special blessing by the former Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, for his Mayoral year.

Cllr Donaghy said it was a wonderful day.

He said: “We had a walk around the gardens and it’s more like Queens Park — it’s massive.

“The gardens were immaculate, and just beautiful.

“Being there, being part of the celebration in Buckingham Palace and knowing that you have the honour and privilege of being at the garden party was a highlight — and more so because we were representing Bolton.

“It was good to meet the other Mayors from across the country, who have also just taken up their posts, and they wished us well for our year as we did to them.

“All in all we thoroughly enjoyed the day, and it’s certainly one I will never forget.”

On the evening before Cllr Donaghy and his Mayoresses were also treated to a special dinner in the Churchill Room of the House of Commons with Bolton West MP Julie Hilling.