BARNOLDSWICK'S first Pendle mayor for almost 20 years says he wants to heal the divisions between the roses in West Craven - and connect with parts "that others never reach".

As part of his inaugural procession in the town on Sunday, Coun Allan Buck said his theme for the coming year would be "the whole of Pendle".

Coun Buck said he hoped to make West Craven residents, who still considered themselves to be Yorkshiremen, to feel included in Pendle civic life. He also said he planned to visit tiny hamlets such as Bracewell alongside the big urban centres of Nelson and Colne.

Coun Buck took up the chains of office from Coun George Adam at Nelson Town Hall last week.

The 62-year-old revealed that he and mayoress Barbara Mitchell, his younger sister, would be raising money for three charities - Rainbows at the Holden Centre, a special needs therapy nursery, the Heart of Lancashire appeal for West Craven First Responders and the Burnley and Pendle Befriending Scheme, which gives financial assistance to people with mental disabilities.

Sunday's procession saw Coun Buck visit Ghyll Church in a horse-drawn carriage before a procession through the town centre, accompanied by Barnoldswick Brass Band.

In his speech, Coun Buck, who represents Coates ward, said: "This mayoralty will be the first from Barnoldswick for almost 20 years, when the redoubtable Coun Doris Riding was mayor.

"As West Craven is on the boundary of Lancashire and Yorkshire and I know some residents still wish that they had remained in the White Rose county, I fully intend to show them that they are indeed a vital part of Pendle, if not Lancashire.

"We shall visit all areas of Pendle including the parts that others never reach. We shall call in at all of the towns, villages and hamlets in the borough from Reedley to Bracewell, Wycoller to Barley and all the bits in between.

"We wish to encourage tourism to our hidden gems of unspoilt countryside and bring walkers to our wonderful hills of Weets, Boulsworth and Pendle.

"To promote this I shall walk the Pendle Way, which covers all parts of Pendle. We propose to invite Pendle's residents to walk with us in short sections."

Coun Buck also said he was keen to support industry and commerce in the borough during his term in office. He said: "In Pendle we are fortunate to have one of the largest manufacturing areas in Britain and as such I want to encourage our enterprising businesses, which are the backbone of our local economy.

"To encourage them during the coming year I plan to visit Pendle companies of all sizes and types."

Coun Buck said he was looking forward to leading the launch of the new Steam and Stream walk in Barnoldswick in June.