The new mayor of Denholme has pledged to work with local residents to improve village life.

Councillor Anne Jay, pictured right, says Denholme's new renewal action plan will enable residents to have their say about what areas of the village can be enhanced.

The village is applying for £25,000 from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund to be spent on projects around the village.

Cllr Jay said: "We have only just started organising meetings with various members of village organisations, and we are putting in for our first £5,000.

"The next step will be to put in a plan for £20,000 of funding so that we can maybe employ a part time project worker to look at what areas of village life need improving.

"Myself and Councillor Christine Anderson are working hard towards this because it will bring benefits to the village."

Cllr Jay took over the mantle of town mayor on Tuesday at the traditional mayor making ceremony in the Mechanics Institute.

She received the chain of office from Councillor Barbara Rayner, who is stepping down from the town council after suffering two minor strokes recently.

Cllr Jay, 58, has served on the town council for the last six years and has remained an active member of St Paul's Church, serving as church warden and vice chairman.

Originally from Burnley, she moved to Denholme in 1975 and married Dennis, who died in 1995. She has two children, Janet and Christopher.

Mrs Jay recently retired after serving for 23 years as a marketing projects co-ordinator at Bradford University, and moved to neighbouring Cullingworth.

Cllr Christine Anderson will serve as deputy mayor. Cllr Rob Salmon has announced his resignation from the town council.