The ex-Mayor of Chorley has spoken of her pride after both her children were elected as councillors alongside her.

Hasina Khan and daughter Zara were re-elected as Labour councillors at Chorley Council and will be now be joined by twenty-five-old Samir.

Hasina and Zara were elected in the Chorley East ward whilst Samir was selected in the Chorley South East and Heath Charnock ward.

Hasina Khan who was elected as the first Muslim female councillor in Lancashire in 2006 and served as Mayor in 2019 said: “I feel it’s a great achievement for both my children who have been very active in my campaigns when they were younger and have worked their way up the political ladder and decided themselves to take this path.

“It is great to see young people taking an interest in public life. In particular from BAME communities whom don’t always have the opportunities and when there are opportunities they are not supported by families of the very same BAME communities.

“I am hoping that more young people will be inspired by the news of Samir being elected.”

Samir, a school teacher said he wanted to give young people a voice: “I feel a great sense of achievement becoming a newly elected councillor for the Labour Party. I have taken a great deal of inspiration from my mother and sister who have led by example.

“My involvement in politics began leafleting for my mother many years ago. Over time I became involved in many different Labour campaigns and learnt the necessary skills required in order to become an effective member of an election campaign.

“Everything has now come full circle. It has been an amazing journey which continues and I strive to fulfil my new role to its true potential.”

Midwife Zara said: “I feel proud having my brother on the council beside me and my mum!. He will be a great addition as he excels in everything he does.

“It is challenging a full-time job in the NHS with being a councillor but I enjoy representing the people of Chorley East and want to remain involved in local politics for as long as the people of Chorley will support me.

"Also, I’m sure by brother will reiterate this, but I feel proud to have carried on in my mum footsteps and hope to one day achieve what she has; we were exposed to campaigning at a young age which helped.’

In last Thursday’s local elections Zara was re-elected for her second term on Chorley council, and Hasina was re-elected for her fifth term. Hasina was also re-elected to her Lancashire County Council seat for the second time.