Mayors and mayoresses in waiting who quake in their shoes at the thought of their civic year can now go to 'school' to learn the ropes in the first course of its type ever held in Britain.

Bradford Council's former high profile Tory leader Ronnie Farley expects 30 potential first citizens to attend a training course in City Hall on March 19 about what is acceptable and how not to put your foot in it.

He will also teach them how to make their speeches short and sweet to let people "get on with eating the chicken".

Mr Farley has put the knowledge he accrued in the Council chamber at meetings of Britain's fourth biggest authority to good use, by setting up an innovative business in partnership with training expert Marilyn Box.

In the seven years since they set up Bradford-based Councillor Skills they have helped about 3,000 councillors in 137 local authorities. Now they have switched their attention to mayors and mayoresses to prepare them for their daunting term of office.

The 'pupils' will learn how to manage their diaries, speak in public and deal with the press.

They will be taught what their role as first citizen means and how to deal with their charity appeals

Former Tory Lord Mayor Councillor Stanley King and former Labour Lady Mayoress Jean Sowman will also talk about experiences during their terms of office.

Councillor Skills made local government history when it provided an Investors in People programme for Kingston upon Hull, the first council in the country to achieve IIP status for its members.

Mr Farley said: "I have met some people who would have loved to be mayors but it would have frightened them to death. It is also very difficult for mayoresses who are sometimes not even politicians and completely unaware about public life.

"The course includes aspects like public speaking and gives the consorts from various authorities the chance to meet each other before they start their term of office. They will be able to ring and talk to each other when they want to swap experiences or ask for advice.

"One of the biggest things is to learn to pace themselves. I have seen mayors who have been worn out after the first few months. Diary management is very important. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoresses of Bradford are lucky as they are very well served by a small team of full-time officers and an appeals co-ordinator," he added.

Mr Farley was a councillor for 15 years during which time he was leader or deputy leader of the Tory group for eight. He was also chairman of finance, education, social services, community and environment and equality committees.

He was also chairman of the Association of Metropolitan Authorities police committee for five years.

Marilyn Box is a training and development officer who worked for local authorities and public services for 19 years.

She has also been employed as a researcher, publicity officer and research programmer.

The courses cost about £1,000 and Mr Farley said they worked closely with the Government because of major changes in modernised councils and new legislation.