THE next Mayor of Burnley has said he wants to raise thousands of pounds for the ‘wonderful’ Pendleside Hospice during his year in office.

Coun David Heginbotham is set to take over the role from Coun Tony Lambert next month. His Mayoress will be wife Joan, 70.

The 71-year-old said he chose the hospice as his charity because it helps so many people in the borough.

He said: “My wife is a volunteer at the hospice. I don’t think anybody in the area will never, at one time, come across the hospice in their own lives.

“When people go in for day care or a longer stay, their families are made welcome and there is a lovely atmosphere.

“The hospice has tremendous staff and is of great benefit to so many people in Burnley.”

The main fundraiser is likely to be the annual ball next year, but Coun Heginbotham said other ‘big’ events were in the pipeline.

He will raise money for the hospice by selling lapel badges, which celebrate the 150th anniversary of Burnley becoming a borough.

A recipe book featuring around 200 dishes, which has been compiled by Mrs Heginbotham, will also be sold to raise funds.

Coun Heginbotham, who represents the Cliviger with Worsthorne ward, moved to Burnley from Oldham 38 years ago and was first elected as a councillor in 1991.

Following a difficult period, he said the town was in a ‘period of metamorphosis’.

“Burnley is on the brink of something great - that’s my belief,” he said.

“I am proud to be a councillor, proud of the people who elected me over the years and I am proud to represent Burnley as Mayor.”

The current Mayor Coun Lambert’s charities are the North West Ambulance Service, Burnley Play Association and chemo therapy unit at Burnley General Hospital.

At the end of his mayoral year he expects to have raised around £20,000, which will be split equally between the charities.

Coun Heginbotham will take over the role as Burnley’s first citizen during a ceremony at the town hall on May 18.