A BOROUGH Mayor has challenged himself to lose weight and get fit enough to climb Pendle Hill.

Cllr James Starkie, the 66-year-old first citizen of Pendle, is also seeking to get other residents to follow his example and to help local children with additional needs to learn to swim.

He has until the end of his Mayoral term of office in May to meet his 2019 New Year Resolution targets.

Cllr Starkie will be training at Pendle Leisure Trusts gyms, sports hall and baths over the next four months.

He said: “I do need to lose some weight and get fit, so I have set myself a series of challenges, which I’m hoping people will support me in, either by joining me during my training or helping me to raise money to enable youngsters with their swimming. I want to raise money to help Pendle’s financially or physically disadvantaged children with extra swimming lessons.

“I want to get the fitness message across and stress how important it is to keep healthy. I know I need to lose weight and this is my first step towards doing something about it. New Year – new me!”

People waning to support Councillor Starkie in his challenges can donate at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/pendle-mayors-challenge