FORMER Mayor of Rossendale, Coun Amanda Robertson, has thanked the people of the Valley for helping her raise more than £8,000 in 12 months for organisations working with local young people.

Coun Robertson said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my year but I am thankful that it is only a year and now I can relax back into being on the back row of photographs, instead of in the middle of the front row.

“I would like to give a great big thank you to the very generous people of Rossendale who have helped me raise over £8,000 for my mayoral charity.”

Coun Robertson distributed cheques to a host of deserving causes which have benefited from her charity.