THERE may be nearly 70 years between them but Molly and Mollie Disley have a lot in common.

Mollie is 72 and used to be a nursery nurse at Staghills Nursery, Top Barn Lane, Newchurch.

She is vice-chairman of governors at the nursery, which Molly junior, aged three, attends.

Mollie of Brow Edge, Newchurch, has been a councillor for Hareholme for 14 years and was Mayor of Rossendale from 1998 to 1999.

When she presented a framed picture of Mollie in her mayoral robes Molly said: "I would like to be mayor some day."

Molly lives on a farm off Dean Lane, Water, where she has a horse, Smoky, which she loves to ride and a dog Roysey.

Mollie doesn't have any pets but said: "All of the children in the area are my 'pets' because I love them."

Molly's older sister Laura attends Water Primary School where Mollie finished her nursery nurse days after 47 years in the education profession and Molly will also be attending that school.

She said: "I love coming to nursery and I like to play on the computer. I like the Tweenies game and I like to play in the play house."

Mollie said: "Give me a computer and I haven't got a clue. Whenever I was in Water School I used to ask the children how to use the computer. "I've worked in nearly every school in Rossendale and I just loved it. It is wonderful to work with children.

"I only found out I had a namesake when Molly started at Staghills in September, but I think it is very nice."

Mollie regularly pops into the nursery to read the children stories and is a very active governor - 'hyperactive' joked headteacher Gill Martin! The children call her Grandma Mollie.

Mollie said: "In primary schools they like to write little stories and ask you for help with spelling some of the words. When this little boy asked me how to spell Mitsubishi I knew it was time to retire!"

She presented Molly with the picture and a glass trinket box with the Rossendale coat of arms on and asked her to keep them safe for when she is older.

She signed the present: "To my namesake beautiful Molly. With much love."