THE next mayor of Padiham has set out his vision for the town.

Optician Mark Jinkinson has been elected by fellow town councillors to serve as Mayor of Padiham for 2004/05.

And the current deputy mayor hopes he can develop the town for both residents and businesses when he is installed on May 10.

He said: "I want to continue developing and improving Padiham as a town for businesses and people who live here.

"My hope is that by the end of the year we have moved things forward for people living in the town."

The 50-year-old will be supported by his wife Denise, who will be mayoress. He became a councillor in 2002 after reading about a lack of candidates applying to sit on the town council.

The owner of Mark Jinkinson Optometrists in Burnley Road, Mark is also is a member of Padiham Life Group.

He said the group is working to obtain funding from the North West Development Agency to conduct a feasibility study on improving Padiham.

If successful, the group can apply for further funding to implement the findings of the study, and one area of interest to him is the restoration of the water clock.

Coun Jinkinson added: "When the town council was set up I read in the paper there weren't sufficient applicants. My feeling was that I'd had a business in the town for several years and I was quite keen to put some work back into the town as I felt as though I was reciprocating the benefits.

"I am very much looking forward to becoming mayor. I feel quite honoured the people of Padiham have given me this opportunity. It is a great responsibility to represent the town and I hope I will do a good job."

Coun and Mrs Jinkinson who have two children will replace Bob Clark and Hazel Rushton as first citizens.