PRESTON'S mayor elect says she can't wait to get stuck into the job - despite the fact that two others have turned it down because they felt it was hard work.

Coun Veronica Afrin, pictured right, who represents the St Matthew's Ward in Preston, was chosen as the successor to current Mayor Rose Kinsella after a new system for selecting the town's first citizen was put in place.

Preston council leader Peter Rankin came up with the plan, which gives the longest-serving councillor who hasn't previously been mayor the chance to be honoured.

But despite Coun Ron Atkins and Coun Irene Black both turning down the opportunity to be the Millennium Mayor, Coun Afrin, who returned to the council chamber last year after overturning a bankruptcy order against her, is looking forward to it.

She said: "Of course, it all depends on Labour retaining power at the Town Hall in next month's elections, but if I can be Mayor it will be a wonderful opportunity and one I will relish.

"There is so much going for Preston at the moment and I am so proud to have the chance to be the Mayor as we enter the new Millennium.

"We are a great multi-cultural town and we also have the prospect of becoming a city in the near future, which would be great."

This year should be a double celebration for married mother-of-two Coun Afrin. She is about to become a grandma again!

In neighbouring South Ribble, Conservative Coun Margaret Smith has been selected as the borough's designated mayor elect - providing she retains her seat during next month's elections.

Traditionally, a councillor from the ruling party is normally selected to be mayor, but once every four years a member from one of the minority parties is selected.

Coun Smith, pictured, a councillor for the Hutton and New Longton area, said: "It is a tremendous honour to be picked for this job and, providing I am elected again, I have no doubt I will be able to perform the job well.

"It will be a juggling act around my job but I am sure I can do it and, of course, this year is extra special because it is the turn of the Millennium."

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