THE Mayor of Burnley will present a legacy to the town when he hands over Burnley's 70-year-old civic robes.

The ceremony at Towneley Hall tomorrow will be one of Councillor Gordon Birtwistle's last official engagements before he ends a whirlwind year in office on Wednesday, May 14.

Coun Birtwistle, who alongside his wife and Mayoress Kathleen have raised more than £50,000 for a scanner for Burnley General Hospital during the past 12 months, will add the 1935 Mayoral robes to a small display of civic items and regalia in Towneley Hall's Regency Room.

The donation was made possible after Coun Birtwistle paid for the cost of new robes in memory of his mother Peggy, who died before his Mayor-making ceremony in 2002.

A spokesman for Burnley Borough Council said: "Earlier this year Burnley's Mayor offered to replace the dated Mayoral robes which after almost 70 years were showing signs of wear.

"The Mayor's gesture to meet the cost of new robes and his request to have the old robes placed on public display was in memory of his mother Peggy."

Mike Townend, keeper of history at Towneley Hall, said: "We are very grateful to the Mayor for his donation. These will add greatly to the local history collections and in particular the civic items we have here.

"The robes will be displayed in the Regency Room alongside civic badges, chains of office and commemorative items."

The robes were originally purchased in the town from Edes and Ravenscroft, London, and the new robes, which cost £900, are based on the same design including fake fur from Michaels of Bristol.

The display will be open from Friday until June 13.