BLACKBURN with Darwen's first openly gay Mayor will round off his year of office as he began with the pop music of his youth.

Motorbike enthusiast Councillor Jim Shorrock will hand over his chains on Thursday.

While the borough's Annual Council Meeting will be a sober and ceremonial affair, he has already made plans to jazz up his delayed Mayor's Ball on March 20 in Ewood Park's Premier Suite at Ewood Park.

It's sound track will be 'Synth Pop' and 1980's music to complement his choice of Supertramp as the choral accompaniment at his Civic Service at the beginning of his year.

Cllr Shorrock, the borough's self-styled '21st Century Mayor' has reflected on 12 months of breaking down barriers.

He singled out his involvement with the BBC's 'DIY SOS' programme's Children in Need transformation of Blackburn's St Silas Church Hall into accommodation and a support centre for charity Nightsafe as one of his year's highlights.

Cllr Shorrock chose his husband Mark Joyce as Mayoral Consort and friend Linda Mahon as Mayoress.

He said: "To represent the borough has been a great honour and I’ve really enjoyed putting my own spin on things.

“How many Mayors have had the choir sing Super Tramp at their Civic Service?

“It was an incredibly proud moment for me. I’m just a working class lad at heart who’s had to battle against adversity my whole life.”

Having worked in the pub trade, Cllr Shorrock, who represents Blackburn South-East, enjoyed the community involvement and events which are part of parcel of being First Citizen as well as the creation of Cotton Borough Gin in celebration of his inauguration which is now stocked in several borough pubs.

He said: “I’m a social creature, I love people.

“I love the process of organising events; it’s all about attention to detail. I have a motto – 'do it on time and right first time'.

“I don’t like prepared speeches either. I like to speak from both my head and my heart in the moment. That’s what people can relate to. That’s when they listen.

"I have had many highlights during my year as Mayor.

“Morphgate was a fantastic event.

"I also enjoyed being involved with the DIY SOS Big Build for BBC Children in Need.

“It was amazing to see so many local people diving in to help the young people who needed it.

“I also really enjoyed the Nightsafe sleep out. It was a humbling experience as sadly it’s the reality for so many young people in this area.

"I have enjoyed every visit and every event.

“I’m not saying that I’ve done everything perfectly, but I did my best.

“I think it’s important to surround yourself with people of different ages. You can learn from each other and work together to break down barriers.

“I’m looking forward to the ball.

“I wanted it to be themed my way, with Synth Pop and Eighties music. It’s right up my street!”

At £32 per ticket it is the final time to contribute to the Blackburn South-East councillor's Mayoral charities - Every Action has Consequences, Derian House Children’s Hospice, THOMAS and Youth Action.