LABOUR chiefs are pressing ahead with plans to instal Hyndburn's first Asian mayor later this month.

Despite Tory opposition, Mirza Yousaf will become East Lancashire's first Asian mayor when he is handed the chains of office.

Doug Hayes was set to become the borough's first citizen, but he lost his council seat in the local elections.

The Conservative opposition group argued that Doug Hayes and his wife, Sandra, who was also defeated at the polls, could still take up the prestigious post.

But the ruling party voted unanimously to make Coun Yousaf mayor at its annual general meeting.

Maurice Cowell, the popular St Andrew's councillor and neighbourhood watch organiser, will be deputy mayor. Discussions have also been held with council officers to check constitutional rules are not being broken.

Labour party bosses are now planning to change the system of choosing the mayor following the controversy.

And a report on the proposed changes is expected before the next meeting of the full council, calling for the current system to be scrapped in favour of a simpler version.

Coun Yousaf, the Accrington-based magistrate and businessman, will now become mayor at a special ceremony on Thursday, May 23.

Bill Goldsmith, who nominated Coun Yousaf, said: "The Conservatives wanted Doug Hayes to be mayor but that would have been folly.

"How could he have chaired council meetings when he is no longer on the council."

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