BURNLEY'S former "First Lady" has stepped down from another post in public life.

Councillor Enid Tate, now Deputy Mayor, has retired as a Pennine magistrate weeks after handing over the civic chain but it doesn't mean the former head teacher will have too much time on her hands.

She is still involved in many local activities and doesn't stand for re-election until the year 2000.

Mrs Tate, who lives with husband Maurice in Burnley, was a Justice of The Peace for 25 years and retired the day before her 70th birthday, last Friday.

In over two decades on the bench she has sat on juvenile, family, domestic, licensing and criminal panels and says she has found the position fulfilling. Mrs Tate said: "I have found it very interesting and enlightening. I have enjoyed the companionship and friendship of other magistrates. We hope we have done something for the bulk of the people.

"I have felt very sorry for some of the people in court."

She went on: "It was a job that has to be done and I felt privileged to be invited."

Mrs Tate and her husband are widely travelled and hope to be putting in some miles this year.

Mrs Tate was the head teacher at Rockwood Nursery School, Burnley, for 30 years, retiring almost 10 years ago. She is still governor of two schools and is a Soroptomist.

On her last sitting at Burnley Magistrates Court she was presented with cut glass whisky tumblers.

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