Councillor Smith Benson has become Pendle’s new mayor.

Coun Benson, 72, (Cons, Horsfield) received the chains of office during the council’s annual mayor making ceremony in Nelson Town Hall on Thursday.

Coun Benson’s mayoress will be his daughter, Margaret Ingham, who lives in Barnoldswick. They will support three charities – the Rosemere Cancer Foundation, St John Ambulance and Pendleside Hospice, which has shops in Barnoldswick and Earby. Coun Graham Roach, 59, (Lib Dem, Waterside) will become Pendle’s deputy mayor.