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VETERAN councillor Christine Iredale spoke of her disappointment last night after her hopes of becoming Kirklees’ first citizen were crushed.

The Lib Dem was due to become Mayor of Kirklees on May 23.

But she missed out on the chance when she lost her Golcar seat to Labour.

There was another blow for the Milnsbridge woman when her daughter, Rochelle Parchment, lost her seat in Dalton at yesterday’s count.

Mrs Iredale said: “I’m thoroughly disappointed to lose my seat. I think it was down to national politics because I worked very, very hard in the ward.

“I’m also disappointed to have lost the chance to become Mayor. I think I could have made a difference.”

Mrs Iredale had planned to help Alzheimer’s Awareness during her year as Mayor.

She said: “I shall do a quiz in Milnsbridge Liberal Club to try to raise some money but unfortunately it won’t be anywhere near what I would have been able to raise as Mayor.”

The Lib Dems are expected to name a replacement mayoral candidate following yesterday’s results.

Mrs Iredale told the Examiner she was upset at her daughter’s loss in Dalton.

“I’m absolutely gutted for her,’’ she said. “I’m more gutted for Rochelle than I am for myself.

“She did so much work for Dalton and has been kicked in the teeth.”

Mrs Iredale, whose husband Robert lost his Golcar seat to Labour last year, said: “I can’t see an Iredale going back on a ballot paper – but you never know.”