PENDLE'S new Mayor is furious at being cast as the Scrooge who refuses to give a Christmas gift to elderly people.

Town hall bosses say the traditional £5 given by the Mayor to Pendle folk over the age of 80 should be axed to save cash.

But their plan faces tough opposition from newly elected Mayor Councillor Frank Clifford. He's vowed to fight to keep the gift, which is meant as a token of esteem and respect to people who have worked hard all their lives.

This year, 3,652 people will be old enough to qualify, and the bill will come to £18,260.

The proposed cut came up for discussion on Tuesday at the strong recommendation of Pendle's management team. Councillors put off making a decision until a policy meeting on June 11

Mr Clifford found out about the plan by chance.

He said: "I did not know about it, even though it is a gift from the Mayor. No one even mentioned it was coming up at a meeting, and I am not on that committee so I hadn't had an agenda.

"I will be incredibly disappointed if Pendle Borough Council does away with this small token of esteem for the elderly.

"It is little enough, and should be more - not less.

"I think elderly people should be recognised for what they have contributed. They are the folk who have been the lifeblood of the area. They worked hard all their lives and always paid their dues and demands.

"The Mayor's gift means a great deal to them. Over the years I have seen elderly people and their families coming to the town halls during November to ask if they were on the list.

"It brings a great deal of joy, and it is so little.

"Some people might argue that old people don't need the £5 to eke out their pensions. I know for a fact that a lot of pensioners appreciate it very much."

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