TWO former Hyndburn Mayors are set to be honoured for their longstanding service to the borough.

Marlene Haworth and Janet Storey are set to be nominated to become Honorary Aldermen for the area at a council meeting tonight.

The award is given to people who Hyndburn Council think ‘rendered eminent service as a past member of the council’.

Mrs Haworth was mayor for 2015/16 and served as a St Oswalds councillor for 12 years from 2004 to 2016.

The former deputy council leader said: “I’m really honoured, it was quite unexpected but very nice.

“12 years is a long time but I enjoyed every minute of it.

“The last year was extra special when I was mayor, it was absolutely wonderful.

“It is a year that will live long in the memory

The 73-year-old has lived in Cranbrook Avenue, Oswaldtwistle for more than 30 years and received the good news with a surprise phone call from the council’s Conservative party leader Cllr Tony Dobson.

She said the highlight of her time with the council was her mayoral work, especially the £10,000 she raised for charities in the area.

Mrs Storey served as a councillor for 12 years over two spells, from 1998 until 2002 and 2003 to 2011, representing the Clayton-le-Moors ward.

She was also mayor for the 2005/2006 year.

The 64-year-old said: “It’s a very big honour to me, it’s not something that everybody gets to experience.

“It was a very enjoyable time, I always enjoyed getting out and helping people, that’s what it was about.

“Clayton-le-Moors was a great ward to be a councillor for, everyone pulls together, it’s a proper community.

“Being mayor was unbelievable, it was one of the best years of my life.

“I met so many people and saw so many things.”

Mrs Storey, who has lived in Clayton-le-Moors for around 27 years, said one of her highlights was being part of the group to get Mercer House up and running again.

Hyndburn Mayor Cllr Peter Britcliffe said: “Marlene and Janet have given years of service to the borough.

“They have both been very good workers for the people of Hyndburn and carried out a valuable service to the borough.”