CRAVEN'S new first citizen was in London this week at a Royal Garden Party on the day the Duke of Edinburgh celebrated his 93rd birthday.

Coun Linda Brockbank, elected chairman of Craven District Council on Thursday, carried out her first official duty by attending the garden party hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

And to make it extra special, it was the same day that Prince Philip, who was there with the Queen and other Royals, marked his 93rd birthday.

In a busy start to her year in office, she hoped to attend a Prime Minister's Question Time in Parliament yesterday and, on Sunday , the keen horse rider will be at Skipton Building Society Horse Trials.

Coun Brockbank, who represents Bentham, was voted in unopposed at the annual meeting of the council.

In an emotional speech, she pledged to do her very best to represent Craven and paid tribute to outgoing chairman, Donny Whaites.

Coun Brockbank, whose consort for the year will be her partner, William Gardner, said during her year in office she would be supporting and raising the profile of Lupus UK - a little known, but devastating condition.