BLACKBURN with Darwen's new mayor was appointed last night at the annual mayor making ceremony.

Coun Dorothy Walsh took over the mayoral chains from Coun Yusuf Jan-Virmani, and will hold the honour for a year.

Her deputy mayor is Coun Fred Slater, who represents the East Rural ward, and her mayoress will be her daughter Barbara Arkley.

Coun Walsh said: "I feel honoured to be Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen and will do my best to carry on the good work done by former mayors of the borough.

"With my daughter Barbara as mayoress, I intend to be a good ambassador for local people.

"I also hope to raise lots of money for my charity that will benefit disabled and disadvantaged children in Blackburn with Darwen."

Coun Walsh was born in Blackburn as one of seven children and attended St Peter's in Chains Primary School, Walton Street, which is now known as St Peter's Roman Catholic Primary.

She attended St Anne's Secondary School, Princess Street, and took up work at the Cherry Tree Spinning Mill. From 1961 to 1978 Coun Walsh worked as a home help for social services, and until 1983 in the quality audit department at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Stopes Brow, Lower Darwen.

Coun Walsh, a widow, is now retired, and she had six children with her husband Tom.

She has been a councillor for more than 10 years, starting her service in 1994 as a representative for the Brownhill ward. She was later a Corporation Park councillor, and now serves Higher Croft.

Prior to her appointment, she was the executive member for culture, leisure and sport and has held positions as lead member for education and life long learning and chairman of the health overview and scrutiny committee.