Coun. Carmichael received the chains of office from retiring Mayor Coun. Peter McCann at the traditional mayor-making ceremony on Wednesday afternoon.

She paid tribute to former Mayor of Burnley Coun. Fred Brown, who held the role from 1986 to 1987, and said he inspired her to enter the world of politics.

In her inaugural speech to friends, family and fellow councillors, she said: "I would like to thank Mr Fred Brown, a former mayor of this borough, without whose perseverance, help and guidance, today would not be possible.

"When I first stood in Whittlefield and Ightenhill ward, Fred was there beside me every evening when we went out knocking on doors, persuading the electorate I was the best person for the job. Fred was, and always will be, my guiding light in local politics."

Coun. Carmichael has chosen her friend Mrs Joan Heginbotham to be her mayoress and her husband, Gavin, will support her as consort. Coun. John Harbour has been appointed deputy mayor.

Coun. Carmichael met her husband in 2000 and has three stepsons and two grandchildren. She is one of nine children and was joined at the mayor-making ceremony by one of her brothers and four sisters.

Born in St Helens, at 17 she joined the Women's Royal Army Corp and was sent to work in the Royal Signals, later joining the Royal Army Military Intelligence Corp and the RAF.

She moved to Burnley in 1978, settling in the Ightenhill and Whittlefield ward in 1982.

Her first job in the town was at the Burnley Express, and in 1990 she joined the NHS where she works at Burnley General Hospital as the radiology department appointments officer.

In her leisure time, Coun. Carmichael is a keen darts player and her team won the Ladies' League this year. She is a supporter of Ighten Leigh Social Club, enjoys going to the cinema and is a regular swimmer.

After the ceremony, she spoke of her hopes for her mayoral year. "I would really like to get the public involved in the process of how councillors become mayor and what we do. If we can get more people interested in politics, especially young people, and get that interest back that so many people seem to have lost, that will be a good thing for the town."

During the next 12 months, the civic trio will be raising money for Pendleside Hospice and breast cancer services at Burnley General Hospital. These charities are close to the hearts of the Mayor and Mayoress, as Mrs Heginbotham is a volunteer at the hospice and Coun. Carmichael is involved with the breast cancer services through her job at the hospital.

One of the first fund-raising activities will be a sponsored one-mile swim with the new Mayor and Coun. Tony Lambert, which will take place on June 24th.