f+bs=10os=9o Blackrod Labour Cllr Eric Johnson was speaking when he was installed as Mayor at the annual mayor making council meeting in the town hall.

Originally from St Helens, Cllr Johnson has lived in Blackrod for 19 years and is very proud to be an "adopted Boltonian".

"It seems that we are getting closer to having our own univeristy and it would be wonderful if Bolton could become a city during my lifetime."

During his year in office he will be "aiming high for Bolton".

Cllr Johnson said: "Opportunities must be grasped to ensure Bolton's prosperity continues to grow.

"The economy of the borough is crucial to take us down the road to future prosperity.

"We have seen so many engineering skills lost - in the railway and aerospace industries, as well as numerous other skills.

"I would dearly like to see these skills back to the fore in Bolton, or new ones to replace them in this hi-speed age of technology and electronics.

"I would also like to see us get back to some old-fashioned values, taking pride in ourselves and our communities. Caring for one another like it was years ago."

Aged 74, Cllr Johnson and his wife Ida are no strangers to the role of Mayor and Mayoress - they have both been Mayor of Blackrod twice.

Cllr Johnson came to the area in 1977 to work at the former Horwich loco works.

He was in the railway industry for 47 years, taking early retirement when the loco works closed in1983.

He became a councillor in 1979 and was chairman of the environment and consumer sub committee.

The Mayor and Mayoress have three daughters, Pauline, Maureen and Susan, and eight grandchildren.

The Imperial Cancer Research Fund will be the Mayor's main charity for the year, along with the Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund.

The Mayoress has fought the illness herself. Cllr Johnson said: "I know the valuable work they do. My wife has come through, but others are not so lucky.

"It was the most traumatic time in my life when it was diagnosed and we thought it was right that these should be the Mayor's charities."

Cllr Johnson served in the RAF during the Second World War, before being "transferred" to the Army towards the end.

Cllr Johnson took over as Mayor today from Cllr Alan Rushton, who will become Deputy Mayor for the next 12 months. He will also be deputy leader of the Conservatives on the council.

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