THE MOTHER of broadcasters Andy and Liz Kershaw will be the Labour Party's proposal for the next Mayor of Rossendale at the borough's annual council meeting on Friday.

Coun Eileen Kershaw began her career in 1964 when she became a councillor in Rochdale before moving on to the old Whitworth district council in 1971.

She was elected to the newly-formed Rossendale Borough Council in 1974 and is the only original member still serving.

She was also a county councillor for Whitworth for 20 years and Honorary Alderman of Lancashire in 2001.

Eileen, 68, who is married with 5 children, 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, has had a lifelong interest in education.

She chaired Whitworth High School governors for 20 years and the district education liaison committee.

She lives in Whitworth with husband Ron Pickup.

June Forshaw will be proposed as Deputy Mayor.

She has been a councillor since 1991 and has been responsible for projects including the Hall Carr and Balladen Partnership and the Friends of Whittaker Park.

She is chairman of the Rawtenstall public welfare committee which works to fund trips for senior citizens and disadvantaged youngsters in the borough.

June is secretary of Rawtenstall Unitarian Church, a magistrate and a school governor.

She is married to Coun Lawrence Forshaw and has two children.

Coun Jeffrey Cheetham will be proposed as Mayor by the Conservatives.