BURNLEY'S musical mayor, Coun Eric Selby, has taken over the chain of office as the town's first citizen.

At his inauguration he revealed to the packed council chamber that at the age of 19, as an enthusiastic piano player, he won the Carol Levis Show "Discoveries'' competition at the old Victoria Theatre, Burnley.

He added: "Unfortunately this did not lead to stardom or I wouldn't be here with you today.

"However, I can tell you that I feel just as excited as I did at 19 but the feelings of pride I had then are nothing like those I feel at the moment.''

Burnley born and bred, Coun Selby has spent his whole life in the town except for his years in the RAF..

After leaving school he started work with the Economic Gas Company and moved on to the Co-op Furnishing Store. He went on to spend the remainder of his working life with Post Office Telephones.

He was first elected to the council in 1976 and now represents the Brunshaw Ward. His wife, Vera, will be Mayoress. They are pictured right. They announced that their charity fund for the coming year would be for the local branches of Guide Dogs for the Blind and the Diabetic Association.

Coun Selby has played the piano at many fund-raising events for the Mayor of Burnley's charity over the years. He will play again when his wife, as Mayoress, holds her "At Home'' event at the town hall, a highlight of their term.

His election as Mayor was proposed by Coun Kath Reade and seconded by Coun Pat Bennett.

Retiring Mayor Coun Mrs Enid Tate was thanked by Councillors Gordon Birtwistle and Mozaquir Ali.

She announced that the Mayoress's Committee had worked very hard for her charity fund for Parkinson's Disease, Toys for the Children's Ward at Burnley General Hospital and the Lifeboat Association, by raising £14,136. With donations the latest total was £19,518.

Coun Tate will be deputy mayor for the current year.

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