A HUNT for Blackburn's mayoral chains, stolen 20 years ago, has gone online.

The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Coun John Williams, has appealed through the council's website for information on the old Blackburn chains.

He believes that they may have been stolen to order and shipped to America, where there is a big market for America antiques.

Now he hopes his online appeal will lead to the chains being returned.

He said: "The council has never given up hope that the chains would be found and it would round off what has been an exiting year in office if they could be returned in my mayoral year."

Ever since the three chains were stolen, the mayor, mayoress and deputy mayor have had to use the chains originally used by the Mayor of Darwen before the town joined up with Blackburn.

The mayor's chain dates from 1876, the mayoress's from 1909 and the deputy mayor's is the oldest, having been donated in 1851.

The mayor's chain is made of gold with seven emblems inscribed with various royal insignia and the large oval medallion bears the shield of the Blackburn Borough Arms.

The mayoress's chain is made of gold and platinum. It comprises a linked chain and pendant studded with precious stones and the pendant bears the arms of Blackburn.

The Hornby chain,worn by the deputy mayor is much plainer than the Mayoral chain, made up of inch-wide interlocking links and the 18 carat gold pendant bears the Blackburn coat of Arms.

Coun Frank Gorton was the mayor in 1980 when they were stolen. He said: " I had only been in office for 10 days.

"My first thoughts were what a sad loss they would be to the people of Blackburn and a blow to the dignity of the office."

Anyone with any information is asked to call 01254 585229 or email graham.brunton@blackburn.gov.uk.