BURNLEY'S new mayor has laid out her intentions for the year ahead.

Cllr Anne Kelly was voted in as the borough's new mayor at the council's first meeting since annual elections earlier this month.

She will oversee the role for the next 12 months and raise cash for a variety of good causes.

Cllr Kelly said: "I was born in Heywood, near Bury, but moved to Briercliffe as a small child and have lived here ever since.

"I attended secondary school in Colne before moving on to Nelson and Colne College.

"I must have enjoyed education because I subsequently qualified as a teacher and taught at St James Primary School and then Briercliffe Primary School for more than 25 years, as well as doing supply teaching in schools all over the borough.

"I have been a Briercliffe parish councillor for almost 30 years and a borough councillor for 12 years, representing Briercliffe.

"I’ve been married to John for 44 years and I’m very pleased that he’s agreed to act as my consort. We have three children – Jill, Martin and Richard - and five grandchildren.

"Together we have pledged to promote our borough and raise money for our chosen charity ELHT and Me to provide diagnostic scanners at Burnley General Hospital for early cancer detection.

"We also plan to make a donation to Burnley’s Talking Newspapers."