THE new mayor of Clitheroe has been sworn into office.

Cllr Maureen Fenton, a member of the town council, was inducted in a ceremony this week.

She will be assisted by deputy mayor Cllr Pam Dowson, who is also a member of the council.

The new mayoress is Rebecca Fenton and the new deputy consort is Mick Ingham.

Cllr Fenton takes over from Cllr Mark French who has been in the post over the last 12 months.

He was assisted by his wife Jill as his mayoress.

It is the first time that Cllr Fenton has been made the town's first citizen.

The traditional parade through the town centre was forced to be staged on the pavement this year because of complications securing permission to walk in the road, as has been the custom for many years.

Cllr Dowson is expected to take over the mayoralty in 2018.

Mayors only serve one term at a time and are usually succeeded by their deputies.

Town councillors who have served as mayor include Cllr Mary Robinson, Cllr Allan Knox and his wife Cllr Sue Knox.

It comes ahead of Ribble Valley Borough Council's annual mayor making ceremony which is to take place on Tuesday, May 9.