BURNLEY's millennium mayor spoke of his pride at the double honour of being the town's first citizen and taking the borough into the year 2000.

Independent Coun Eddie Fisk, who will be accompanied by Mayoress former councillor Pat Chadwick, said: "We will represent the town and council with pride and dignity but at the same time I am sure we will enjoy each occasion immensely."

His appointment was moved by Coun Harry Brooks who described Coun Fisk as "a happy man with a real appreciation of what matters in life, a sense of values he has carried into his public work and for which many of the local people he has helped have every reason to be grateful".

And seconding the motion Coun Les Harrison suggested the emblem on the pennant on the Mayoral car could be changed to a budgerigar to reflect the mayor's hobby of breeding and showing the birds.

Coun Fisk, a councillor for 22 years, said: "This is my home town, and my working life has been spent in the mining industry which once surrounded this area. I have a great pride in the borough and its achievements - to mention just two achievers, Burnley Football Club, whom I am glad to see are stopping up through their own hard work and the support of Burnley fans, and Lowerhouse Cricket Club, an affection for which I share with my proposer, Coun Harry Brooks."

Coun Fisk has been married to Elaine for nearly 36 years and they have four children.

His wife did not want to take on the post of of Mayoress.

Coun Fisk has picked the Lancashire branch of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Pendleside Hospice, Reedley, and the children's cancer ward at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury for his charities.

Retiring Mayor Coun Eric Selby and his wife Vera completed more than 300 engagements raising nearly £8,500 for the Guide Dogs for the Blind, the British Diabetic Association and other local charities.

A vote of thanks was given by Council Leader Stuart Caddy who described them as "extremely conscientious and exemplary in carrying out their duties".

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