OSWALDTWISTLE’S refurbished stocks were officially opened yesterday with a former mayor in place to take her punishment.

Immanuel Tory councillor Judith Addison and two Rotarians took their places in the do-it-yourself justice equipment.

They were hoping that the public had forgotten the medieval practice of throwing rotten eggs, fruit and vegetables at convicts. The ancient stocks being brought back into use, if only ceremonially, also marked the centenary of Oswaldtwistle library.

While county council culture boss Marcus Johnstone was inside the 100-year-old building, opened by Cllr Arthur Hargreaves in 1915, Cllr Addison was outside celebrating an even older tradition.

Mayor of Hyndburn in 2013/2014, she said: “When I heard about the re-opening, I decided I would go in the stocks as an appropriate punishment for my political career.

“I just asked for no-one to throw eggs at me. It’s fantastic to have them back.”

The Rotary club of Church and Oswaldtwistle brought back the stocks, once a key part of the area’s justice system.

They were used to shame petty offenders when there were few prisons.