A TRAILBLAZING former Mayor of Hyndburn has retired from the governing body of a Great Harwood school.

Jessie Hall has stood down as a governor of Our Lady and St Hubert's RC Primary School, Harwood Lane after nearly 40 years on the board.

The octogenarian who was the borough's first woman mayor, said it was time to hand over to a new generation.

The former deputy head of Mount Carmel School, in Wordsworth Road, Accrington, was awarded the MBE in 1970 for her services to the community. Miss Hall, of Allsprings Drive, Great Harwood, has also achieved several other notable firsts, including becoming the first female member of Accrington Rotary Club.

"I have always said you should make way for younger people," she said.

Miss Hall is still a member of St Hubert's Church, St Hubert's Road, and the Friends of Memorial Park, and says she still has plenty to occupy her time, including playing bridge on the Internet with people as far away as Hong Kong and Bulgaria, and gardening.

Staff at the school said farewell at a special assembly, given by former Hyndburn MP Ken Hargreaves.