THE new mayor of Darwen described receiving the mayoral chains as "one of his proudest moments" of his life.

Brian Taylor, who represents the Sunnyhurst ward, was voted in as the new mayor on Tuesday at the first meeting of the town council since last week’s local elections.

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Cllr Taylor will be assisted in the running of the town council by Cllr Paul O’Garr, who, after being newly elected on to the council this year, was voted in as deputy chairman.

Cllr Taylor, who lives in Sunnyhurst Lane, has represented the Sunnyhurst area of the town since 2011 for the borough council and since 2012 for the town council.

He said: “As a Darrener born and bred, this along with the birth of my children is one of the proudest moments of my life.

“I hope to bring respect and honour to the position and to be a true representative of the residents of the town of Darwen.”

As a councillor, Cllr Taylor has organised a number of events including the Darwen Food Festival and the Michaelmas Market.

Cllr John Roberts, who nominated Cllr Taylor for mayor, said: “Brian is a long-standing Darwen councillor who knows the town well and will make an excellent mayor.”

Of his new position, Cllr O’Garr, who represents Marsh House ward, said: “I am delighted that the town council has put faith in me.

“I will aim to get as many people involved with the consultation on the three-day market during my time in office and work with the town centre partnership board on this.

“I also want to create more jobs in the town and bring more people to Darwen, keeping its heritage at the forefront of everything.”

It was also decided that Cllr O’Garr would be the town council representative on the Darwen Town Centre Partnership Board.

Cllr Roberts, who nominated Cllr O’Garr for deputy chair, said: “Although Paul O’Garr is new to the town council, as a well-known local businessman he is involved in organising Darwen Live and has taken an interest in the three-day market consultation."

“He will join the town centre partnership as the representative from the town council.”

Cllr Dave Smith was also elected as chairman of the parks committee.

The elections on May 5 saw the Conservative party gain representation for the first time since the elections in 2009.

The Darwen Town Council is now made up of seven Labour councillors, two Conservative councillors and four Liberal Democrat councillors.