Carole Roberts has a confession to make, writes FIONA TARRANT. Oxford's Lord Mayor has so many functions to go to, she often has to change in the back of her official car.

And if her make-up and hair appear intact, it has more to do with the steadiness of her driver's skill as she re-applies her face on the way to yet another engagement.

But Carole, 55 - a working mum of six children aged between 26 and 40, plus grandma to ten - is taking it all in her stride.

"It's hectic, busy and it can be tiring, but being Lord Mayor is also very enjoyable," she says.

Finding something different to wear to each function is, Carole admits, something of a nightmare, especially when she reveals that in an average year, the Lord Mayor attends between 500 and 600 civic and charity events.

As a woman, wearing the chain of office - which was designed for a man - is difficult. It weighs so much Carole can't wear any flimsy tops because it has to be pinned in place.

But there's another thing about being photographed non-stop that bothers her. The pictures aren't always that flattering. In fact, Carole once complained that no-one ever seemed to take a good picture of her. It's worrying Carole because she has a function with a difference coming up. She has agreed to model an outfit for a fashion show to be held at Sahara, the new womenswear shop in Oxford's High Street, on November 27.

"I agreed to take part because the shop gives half of its monthly profits to charity. Some of the profit from the fashion show will go to help the homeless in Oxford at the Night Shelter, Housing Rights and The Gap, which provides daytime accommodation for the under-25s," says Carole.

Because of her concerns about stepping out on the catwalk, the Oxford Mail decided to step in, help steady her nerves and give her an idea of what she might wear to functions which not only look good but also feel comfortable.

Women's Editor Fiona Tarrant took the Lord Mayor on a no-hassle shopping trip. The plan was simple: treat Carole to a hair and make-up makeover and give her some helpful hints on outfits which are comfortable, smart and adaptable for any occasion.

Says Carole: "I work in the mornings at the Rose Hill and Donnington advice centre, giving advice on welfare benefits and debt and representing people in court.

"Often I have to go straight from work to an official function. I try to wear a smart suit to work which I can then wear for the lunchtime or afternoon event. Then, if I have an evening function, I take something to work with me and change at the Town Hall, or wherever I can - even in the car. "Luckily I have a great driver and, if he can, he'll get me home to change. But it isn't always possible."

This past weekend alone, Carole attended nine events, most of which were related to Remembrance Sunday.

"My favourite events are those with children and the elderly. We try to fit in as many official engagements as we can. If people ask for the Lord Mayor, we do our best to get there. People love seeing the chain of office and I see it as my job to be there," she explains.

Although she gets expenses for being Lord Mayor, Carole doesn't have a huge budget to spend on clothes and admits she has made some costly mistakes.

"I was invited to Buckingham Palace for a tea party and was told I could bring two officers with me. Instead I decided to take a cleaner and typist from the Town Hall.

"They both had lovely outfits with hats, so I thought I'd better look good and bought an expensive suit, shoes and hat.

"When I got out of the car in London I was all creased. The ladies stood behind me, hiding the worst of it, but it taught me a lesson." Carole visited Perm, the Russian town with friendship links to Oxford, on an official visit earlier this year and found that the most challenging time for outfit changes.

"It was during the time when they have very little darkness. They call it white nights because it never gets dark.

"They certainly made the most of it while we were there. I went to about 100 engagements in a week."

DRESS ME SMART BUT NOT OVER THE TOP

Lord Mayor Carole Roberts told me she wanted to look smart but not overdressed and to go for outfits where the chain would stand out.

First stop was Toni & Guy in George Street, Oxford, where art director Michelle Nochar gave her a cut which she could easily manage herself.

Said Michelle: "The Lord Mayor has quite fine hair and a very busy lifestyle. I tried to build some body into her hair, giving it natural movement, but in a way she can easily keep herself."

Then Carole had a warm chestnut permanent colour put on. "It's a lovely autumnal colour and it's really warmed up her hair," said Michelle. Next stop was Allders, where Chanel's beauty expert Linda Russell gave the Lord Mayor a new, natural look and some fragrance samples to wear on official engagements.

Then it was back to the Town Hall and her official parlour, where she tried on a series of outfits selected by me with the help of style experts at Debenhams, Marks & Spencer and Allders.

As a size 18-20, Carole has the pick of the rails at most stores and there was plenty to choose from.

For a daytime function, she chose an outfit by Elvi - a concession for the fuller figure - at Allders.

For day-to-evening, she opted for a smart, claret suit from Marks & Spencer, teamed with a silver shirt and matching scarf. The outfit could be worn during the day with a plain shirt, leaving Carole the option of changing into the silver shirt for an early evening do, then adding the scarf for extra glamour later on.

For drinks and cocktail parties, Carole has to look smart but feel comfortable. She chose a wonderful gold, fine-knitted skirt and matching cardigan from Debenhams, teamed with a simple cream camisole.

But the piece de resistance was a fabulous black velvet dress, embroidered in gold, with a matching bolero jacket, embroidered on the sleeves. This outfit looked so stunning it prompted a fellow councillor to wolf-whistle as she posed for our camera on the Town Hall steps.

Very politically incorrect, maybe, but it let Carole know just how great she looked.

Something tells me Carole will be heading down the catwalk at that fashion show with pride.

*Tickets for the fashion show on November 27 cost £15 and are available from Sahara and Oxford Town Hall.

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