SOUTH Ribble Borough Council's new mayoress is just starting to settle into her new role, but she told The Citizen that years ago she handled an altogether different one - a roll of wallpaper!

Margaret Davies, wife of mayor Graham Davies, spoke about life before her mayoral engagements, and indeed before she married Graham.

It seems that before juggling appearances and official engagements she spent her days up and down ladders clutching a bucket of paste.

At one point she was the only female painter and decorator in her firm.

Margaret, who has six children from a previous marriage, decided in the 1980s to do a DIY course which entailed skills such as plumbing and woodwork, but it was painting and decorating that she seemed to have a natural talent for. As a result of this she undertook a six month training course at Preston Skill Centre, Longridge.

Margaret said after the course she became involved with a government scheme to get unemployed youngsters back into work, called the Community Task Force.

"Clients that needed DIY work carrying out would supply materials and we would help youngsters do the work" she said. "The government were responsible for paying them and it would also provide invaluable work experience for their future. Following this Margaret worked for Blackburn Council, as a painter and decorater for council owned properties. Her colleagues consisted only of men, most of whom were fine about working alongside a woman. Unfortunately, said Margaret, "one or two weren't happy, saying I was taking a job away from a man, but despite this I thoroughly enjoyed it."

In 1990 she gave up painting and decorating due to asthma, and a year later began her relationship with Graham. They married in 1995 while he was chairman of Lancashire County Council.

But Margaret is far too busy with her other pride and joy to miss her vocation - her staggering 16 grandchildren. Will she be doing the painting and decorating for them when they grow up? Margaret said: "Not if I can help it!"