HERE we can see one of Bolton's biggest occasions of pomp and ceremony taking place in glorious sunshine in May 1984.

The town's Civic Sunday parade — led by two horses and riders from the police mounted branch — set off from Bolton Town Hall Square with the new Mayor Councillor Mrs Barbara Hurst at its head.

Crowds of onlookers saw civic dignitaries accompanied by representatives of several groups and uniformed organisations make the short procession to the town's parish church for the Mayor's Sunday service.

There were two bands providing a music background and an armed escort was given by men from the local territorial army headquarters.

They also formed a guard of honour at the end of the parade in Churchgate, while along the church entrance another guard of honour was provided by a number of police officers.

The ceremony marked the start of mother-of-five Mrs Hurst's year as Bolton's first citizen and she was only the seventh woman to become Mayor of bolton.

The picture shows Mrs Hurst (centre) with other civic leaders on the Town Hall steps before the parade started.