THE new mayor of Clitheroe has been sworn in after a whirlwind week which saw the person set for the post dumped by the voters at the elections.

Sue Knox, a councillor for the past four years, was elected as mayor following an emergency meeting when mayor-elect Simon Entwistle was ousted at the polls.

Ghosthunter Mr Entwistle, who had been a parish councillor in the St Mary's ward for four years, was due to be sworn in as the Clitheroe Town Council Mayor yesterday.

But at the parish council elections on Friday he lost his seat to millionaire businessman Kevin Horkin.

During the mayor-making ceremony at Moot Hall in Clitheroe, Coun Knox, who is married to Allan Knox, the leader of the Ribble Valley Liberal Democrats, said the role was still vitally important.

She said: “It's important that we keep up traditions such as the Mayor Making Parade, the robes, the chains and the halberdiers — even though we are now in the 21st century we must remember we are the custodians of our history for the next generation.”

Coun Knox is the first Mayoress of Clitheroe to go on to become Mayor and the third female mayor in the town's history.

She said that the council had several priorities for the next year.

She added: “We have agreed to set up a “common good fund” to assist the many voluntary and charitable organisations that work in our town, especially the ones aimed at the old, young and vulnerable.”