FORMER football referee and goalkeeper Cllr Derek Hardman has been officially installed as the new Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen.

His wife Colette will be his Mayoress and his triplets Ella, Abigail and Owen who will undertake consort duties during his year in office.

They were confirmed at a ceremony at the council's annual meeting in King George's Hall on Thursday.

Former Scout Leader, Cllr Hardman, who represents Livesey with Pleasington ward for the Conservatives, has chosen as his Mayoral charities the East Lancashire Scouts, Girlguiding Lancashire East, Derian House and East Lancashire Hospice.

Cllr Hardman, who has been acting as Mayor since his predecessor Cllr Iftakhar Hussain stood down in February, said: “As a ward councillor you look after issues within your own ward but I am looking forward to meeting the diverse community within Blackburn with Darwen.

"I will learn more about projects the residents are involved in and attend events to support them and help to make a difference.

“All the charities we have chosen are based around helping people."

Cllr Hardman was first elected to the Council in 2001.

During his year in office, his deputy will be Shear Brow and Corporation Park's Labour Councillor Suleman Khonat.