Mayor's lost chain is found after being ran over by lawn mower

A part of the Mayor of Skipton's chain of office was found at The Shay in Halifax after it was lost during the town's Yorkshire Day celebrations.

A pendant from Mayor of Skipton Martin Emmerson’s official regalia office was lost last week at a Yorkshire Day bash hosted in Halifax, leading to a county-wide search.

But a member of the grounds staff found the “rather expensive” pendant after it was ran over by a lawn mower and flung clear of a grass verge by the ground’s car park.

Coun Emmerson said: “Obviously, I am absolutely delighted that the pendant was found. It is a massive relief from my point of view.

“Our council chamber is full of portraits of former mayors – dating back well over 100 years – all proudly wearing the chains. I really didn’t want to go down in history as the mayor who lost them!”

Chief officer of Skipton Town Council Dave Parker said: “Clearly, both the mayor and the council are delighted and very relieved that the pendant has been located – and we are extremely grateful to the member of the grounds staff at The Shay who found it and handed it in to the police.

“The mayor will be contacting the person concerned to offer his personal thanks.

“There is some superficial damage and buckling to the pendant – presumably from its run-in with the mower – but it is otherwise intact and I’m sure can be restored to its former glory!”