The memory of a mayor’s attendant will live on in the council chamber thanks to a special chair.
The bespoke chair, complete with plaque, was designed as a tribute to Harold Platt, who worked for the mayors of Blackburn with Darwen from 1952 to 1983.
His son Stan had the piece of furniture made after Harold died in November last year at the age of 93. He hopes it will be used by the mayor’s officers for many years to come.
Stan, 67, said: “My father saw the mayor’s officer role not just as a job, but as a vocation.
“He was a military man, and he saluted the borough’s coat of arms, and its motto, ‘skill and labour’.”
Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Karimeh Foster said the donation showed what an important job mayor’s officers do.
She said: “I am proud to receive the chair from Mr Platt. He did a great job that is still done today and to donate a chair tells them something of the importance of their job.”
The chair, which was designed by Paul Durnian, of Chorley firm JD Lancashire, will be used by mayor’s officer Graham Brunton and his assistant, Andrew Thomson.
Mr Brunton said the role of mayor’s officer was a lot different from the job Harold used to do, adding: “It is an honour to have this chair.
“We are always there in the background and it is nice to be recognised.
“In Harold’s day, he would have had two chauffeurs, but the role has changed a lot.”