A TOWN mayor received his chain of office and a retired councillor was presented with a top honour in a double ceremony.

Former history teacher Coun Alan Yearing, 50, was made mayor of Clitheroe and his wife Susan mayoress in the Ribble Valley Council Chamber.

And retired borough councillor Bert Jones was made an Honorary Burgess of Clitheroe.

Coun Yearing runs a newsagency in Bawdlands, Clitheroe, and has just started his second term as a borough and town councillor.

He is chairman of the Ribble Valley Citizen's Advice Bureau and has two adult children, Jacqueline, 25, who manages a petrol station, and Michael, 21, who currently lives and works in New Zealand. Retiring mayor John McGowan was thanked for his enthusiasm and commitment during his two-year term of office and was presented with a medal.

His wife Patricia also received a medal, as well as flowers.

Former councillor Mr Jones received a standing ovation when he was presented with the award of Honorary Burgess of Clitheroe.

The title replaced the old "freedom of the borough of Clitheroe" in 1974 and is the town's highest honour.

Mr Jones, who stood down from town and borough councils after 25 years at elections last week, was proposed for the award by Coun Howel Jones.

While a councillor, he was behind the building of Ribblesdale Swimming Pool, the removal of HGVs from Clitheroe town centre and the employment of dog wardens.

He is chairman of governors at Edisford Primary and Ribblesdale Nursery Schools and vice-chairman of the Ribble Valley Police and Community Forum.

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