FOR the first time in 28 years Padiham had its own Mayor taking part in the annual Trinity Sunday Walks -- but without his chain of office because insurance cover has yet to be arranged.

Coun Granville Lord and his wife, Pat, the Mayoress, walked with parishioners from St John the Baptist Church and joined in the main parade, which left St Leonard's Church to process down the main Burnley Road gathering churchgoers from the town's many different places of worship.

If Coun Lord had agreed to walk with the Deputy Mayor of Burnley, Coun Lilian Clarke, who joined the party which left St Leonard's Church, then he would have been able to wear the chains, because the Mayor's attendant, David Farrer, would have been present to ensure insurance was covered.

It was the first very public engagement for Coun Lord, who, so far, as Mayor, has handed out the prizes at a darts presentation.

Coun Lord said: "I am very sad about it. I was looking forward to walking with the parishioners of St John's -- the church where Pat and I were married -- in our Mayoral chains and then joining the procession through Padiham.

"For the first time in 28 years, we have a Padiham Mayor in the parade and I couldn't wear the chain!"

Children, parents and grandparents braved the wet weather to join the parade, which was witnessed by hundreds of people who lined the main street through the town.