THE Fylde Coast's Millennium mayors have been given a warm welcome to office by their fellow councillors.

Councillor Henry Mitchell handed over the reigns at Blackpool to Bill Burgess, who has lived all his life in Marton, the ward he represents.

However, the 74-year-old Sandgrown'un said he was a little worried about the late nights his new role may entail.

In his opening speech to the council he joked: "I must thank my deputy mayor Granville Heap for quickly agreeing to deputise for me in all late night functions.

"I should have been mayor a couple of years ago, but lost my seat," he said. "Luckily I regained it in a by-election and now I have the chance to represent the people of Blackpool in a new role.

"I expect to enjoy my year. Let's accentuate the positives, eliminate the negatives, and speak up for Blackpool."

Departing mayor Henry Mitchell said: "I've given Bill a few pointers, advising him to pace himself and to go with the flow. The position will grow with him and I know he will do Blackpool proud."

Fylde's new mayor, Councillor Margaret Procopides, said she was over the moon with her new title.

However Margaret, a Ratepayers Association councillor who lives with her 97-year-old mother in St Annes, hasn't nominated a charity for her forthcoming year.

Instead she invites ideas for a lasting memento to signify the Millennium to which she will raise funds.

She said: "I want to give the people of Fylde something they will remember for the Millennium and am looking forward to hearing the many ideas.

"I was relieved at the recent local elections when I held on to my seat. Being mayor has been something to look forward to after that.

"I'm tremendously excited and people have been so supportive. The Millennium is going to be extra special for me now I'm mayor."

During the official ceremony at Lowther Pavilion departing mayor Anne Smith said: "It has been a great honour to serve the borough as mayor. It has proved a memorable and exceptionally enjoyable year."

But while Coun Procopides has no Mayoral charity, Wyre's Millennium mayor has two.

Conservative councillor Harry Taylor has taken up office from Robert Sharrock, agreeing to support the same charity as Blackpool's new mayor - the Blackpool Victoria Hospital Windmill Cancer Charity - as well as the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Society for Blind.

Born and bred in Blackpool before moving to Poulton 40 years ago, the 72-year-old has promised the Millennium will definitely be one to remember.

"It's an honour to be mayor, but an extra special one to be Millennium mayor," he said. "But as councillors we must never lose sight of our duty to the people of Wyre.

"I'm going to have a great time and am looking forward to a busy year. This being a special year people are putting in that bit extra at functions and I promise I will be doing the same."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.