New Mayor's first diary date to meet the Queen for second time

Ian Sayers was born in Reading and educated at a Quaker school, before studying chemistry at the University of London.

He entered the paper manufacturing industry and worked at paper mills in Switzerland and Austria, where he learned to speak German, before joining Union Carbide in Brussels.

He then joined the Scapa Group in Blackburn, where he spent 35 years at the forefront of paper fabrics and filter cloth manufacture. His team at Scapa received the Queen's Award for Technology in 1997 from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Councillor Sayers retired in 2004 and is chairman of Ribchester Parish Council, where he has lived for 30 years.

He said: "Ribble Valley is a beautiful area and I am looking forward to helping the community prosper in any way I can during my mayoral year."

In his spare time Councillor Sayers enjoys house renovation projects and is interested in energy conservation and environmental issues.

Councillor Sayers received his chains at a mayor-making ceremony in the Ribble Valley Borough Council Chamber, Clitheroe, last night.

His first engagement will be meeting the Queen for the second time during her diamond jubilee visit to Hyndburn today (Wednesday, May 16).

His mayoress is Jean Hayes and his chosen charities are Guide Dogs UK and the Alzheimer's Society.