THE new mayor of Padiham has written to the Queen asking for the palace's support for the town which was given its own council for the first time in 30 years earlier this year.

Granville Lord, who was unanimously elected as the new mayor with Bob Clark his deputy, says he has taken the step in order to attract new businesses into the town.

He also says the honour, if granted by the Queen, would help heal some of the wounds caused to the area by last year's riots.

In the letter Coun Lord says: "With all the political trouble we have witnessed in the north of England in the last few months, we believe the time has come for us to run our own affairs without fear or contradiction. We believe that our beloved Queen is our guide to the future and to building a better community so we can put honour and pride back into the country."

Coun Lord, who was presented with the same chain of office worn by the town's last urban council chairman John Greenwood in 1974, after the town was granted its council in May, says the people of Padiham would be "over the moon" if the Queen agreed to visit Padiham but says it is unlikely because of the packed schedule for the Golden Jubilee year.

Coun Lord, of Guy Street, Padiham, a former borough councillor for Hapton with Park, has fought for the inception of the town council for a number of years.