MAYOR Clr Myra Whiteside handed over her robes to a year 11 schoolgirl who earned the chance of shadowing her for a day.

Clr Whiteside, the first woman from Leigh to be Mayor of Wigan Borough, took Hannah Roberts on her civic engagements after the Rose Bridge High School pupil was chosen from scores of applicants for the chance to accompany the mayor.

Responding to the question why is it important for young people to be able to have their say about things in the borough, Hannah said: “We want things to be changed for when we are adults for our children.

“We want things, like places to go and things to do. We have opinions because we have grown up in Wigan. Also we want a safe place to grow up in.”

Clr Whiteside told Hannah: “Your entry really stood out for me. I was very impressed with how you approached the important subject of how the public and politicians engage.”

Hannah received a VIP tour of Wigan Town Hall and had a chance to see democracy in action by watching the planning committee’s meeting in the council chamber.