Pendle youngest-ever Mayor takes office

And a party rival from the same Nelson ward - Labour councillor Asjad Mahmood - has been elected Deputy Mayor.

Liberal Democrat Coun. Ahmed was born in the Whitefield Ward, went to school at Edge End High School and, after gaining a law degree, got a job back in the ward with solicitors Roberts and Smith in Carr Road.

His wife Rukhsana is joining him as Mayoress and he told the annual mayormaking ceremony: “Special thanks must go to my wife for agreeing to take on the terrifying role of Mayoress!”

Liberal Democrat group leader Coun. John David said Coun. Ahmed would be “a great mayor” and added: “He’s a keen worker for Nelson, and for Pendle as a whole. He is well known round the area, he is a calm man and totally unflappable.”

The Mayor and Mayoress have two children - Ali Hassan (3) and Hirah Fatima (1).

His charity fund-raising during the year will target Pendleside Hospice, Rainbows in the Holden Centre, Barrowford, and Starlight, which grants wishes to seriously or terminally ill children.

He made it clear finance cuts would have an impact locally but looked forward to things which were going to happen, like the opening of Nelson’s new-look high street, the restoration of Shackleton Hall in Colne, Lob Lane Mill in Brierfield and improvements to the Whitefield Ward, including its new infant school.

His year will also see a new Nelson youth centre and housing facilities for homeless young people and new sports facilities at Reedley’s Lucas Sports Ground and the old Edge End School site in Nelson.

He concluded: “Thank you for showing your trust and confidence in me. I can assure you I will not let you down.”

There’s more on this landmark event in Friday’s Leader-Times newspapers