HOSPITAL patients will hear this week how a mayor and mayoress let their hair down.

Rossendale's first couple, Councillors Lawrence and June Forshaw, reveal that away from the pressures of office they relax by jiving.

And they are hoping to show their jiving skills on the dance floor on Friday at the Mayor's Charity Ball at Rawtenstall's Astoria ballroom.

The couple were tonight recording their choice of eight discs for Rossendale Hospital's radio station

And they used their Desert Island Discs-style selection of eight records to reflect what has been important in their lives.

High up in the list is "their" tune - Nancy Sinatra's Sixties hit These Boots were Made for Walking. Said Coun Forshaw: "It's always been our tune because it was at the top of the charts when we were first courting.

"We've been happily married for 28 years, even though some people didn't give it 28 days because we're both so volatile."

Other choices reflect the couple's faith, particularly Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, chosen because the Mayor associates it with his chaplain, the Rev David Doel.

He said: "I used to attend a small Unitarian Sunday School in Blackley, North Manchester. When we went in, Dr Doel was always playing this on the piano."

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