BLACKBURN with Darwen borough has given details of how the public can watch its annual meeting and mayor making online this evening.

It will be the first time a full council forum has been hosted remotely.

The move to digital is caused by the need for social distancing due to coronavirus.

The meeting at 6pm using Microsoft Teams Live can be watched by clicking on the link on the Blackburn with Darwen Council Shuttle website. 49 councillors will join the meeting remotely using live video.

The meeting will install Cllr Iftakhar Hussain as mayor for 2020/21 with Conservative Cllr Derek Hardman as his deputy.

Council chief executive Denise Park said: “Running this virtual meeting will give us a further opportunity to test new technology that should improve the way we work in the future as well as keeping the momentum going on important issues now.”