TRACING relatives of a dead pilot is not often high on a Mayor's agenda - but that's the unusual request that came through one dignitary's letterbox.

South Ribble's new mayor, Councillor Brenda Wilson, had barely warmed her seat in the town hall when she received her first, very quirky, assignment.

Sent by a Belgian writer and addressed to the 'Lord Mayor of the town of Lostock Hall, Lostock Town Hall,' the letter asks for help in finding the family of a man shot down in World War Two.

Councillor Wilson, whose own father fought in the war, said: "It's certainly very unusual compared to most of the things I do.

"But it's interesting at the same time and I will do whatever I can to help out, such as looking on the electoral register and I hope anyone else who can help does so as well."

And, humoured by the letter referring to a 'Lord Mayor', she added: "Things are very different over there. People are mayors for life in some continental countries. It's a totally different system."

Author of the letter, Herman Brulmans from Limburg, is writing a book on the fate of Royal Air Force bomber crews shot down in Belgium during the war.

He is particularly interested in Flight Sergeant Raymond Fazackerley, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Fazackerley from Lostock Hall, who was killed in action on June 22, 1944.

Anyone with any information can call the Citizen on (01772) 255531.

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