THE Mayor of Padiham today defended the decision to employ a convicted arsonist as the first town clerk for more than 30 years and said: "She is the best person for the job."

Coun Granville Lord spoke out after it was revealed that Elizabeth Bolton, of Palace Gardens, Burnley, had been appointed as town clerk of Padiham.

Mrs Bolton, 46, resigned from her post as principal legal officer at Burnley Borough Council after her arrest for petrol bombing a car three years ago.

She later pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life at Lancaster Crown Court and was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years. Charges of indecent assault were allowed to lie on file.

Mrs Bolton, described as a devoted church-goer and former district commissioner for the Girls' Brigade, petrol bombed the car of a man involved with a member of the Girls' Brigade. The court heard she became unhealthily obsessed about the relationship.

She attacked the vehicle while the man, who was married, was at the girls house. Neither can be named for legal reasons.

Mrs Bolton also made a complaint about the man and he was also dismissed from his job.

Coun Lord, who chaired the interview panel, said Mrs Bolton revealed her conviction during the selection process. He gave his backing to the appointment and said she was the best candidate for the job.

He said: "Mrs Bolton was selected for her knowledge of local government. We had some excellent candidates. As a new council, we will be heavily reliant on a town clerk. We were fully aware of Mrs Bolton's past, but I do not think we should sit as judge and jury on someone's past life."

Today Mrs Bolton said: "I just want to make a fresh start.

"People know about what happened and I can't change what I did, which was unfortunate."

The office of town clerk is a paid post. funded as part of the town council's grant from Burnley Borough Council.

Mrs Bolton was a district commissioner in the brigade covering Burnley and Pendle and captain of the 1st Burnley group, based in Lowerhouse. She has also worked as a legal officer for Pendle Borough Council.

She was a former Sunday School superintendent and fund-raiser for Greenbrook Methodist Church, Lowerhouse.

She was banned from the church after the sentence and now attends Padiham Methodist Church.