RIBBLE Valley Mayor's attendant Stuart Riley (pictured on the left) is hanging up his mace and retiring from the job after 12 years.

Mr Riley, who is 65 this month, will leave the post on Thursday.

He was thanked warmly at Ribble Valley Borough Council meeting by councillors and the Mayor Coun Brian Collis (right).

Mr Riley joined the borough council in 1988 and the first mayor he attended was County Councillor Albert Atkinson.

But his role is not just chauffeuring the Mayor, making sure he is correctly attired for an event and that he gets to meet people, Mr Riley is also up early every morning to open up the council offices in Church Street, Clitheroe.

Mr Riley, of De Lacy Street, Clitheroe, is looking forward to spending his retirement with his wife, Janet, and devoting time to cycling and holidaying in Scotland.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.