Barry Chambers, who became mayor of Aspatria after the sitting mayor walked out, has been elected to represent the town for the next 12 months.

Bill Finlay, the elected mayor, left due to what he described an “untenable circumstances” after just a few weeks of chairing Aspatria Town Council.

Councillor Chambers, who had been deputy, became mayor and the mayor previous to Coun Finlay, Alan Reay, became deputy.

Coun Chambers said:" The most important thing for me is to have time to attend all town council meetings, have time to address all issues within the town and have time to assist requests in any way I can."

He said this included representing the town at all levels including talking to his employers at Allerdale council about issues such as asset transfers.

He thanked councillors for their support and for taking over on occasions he could not be present and clerk Helen Ostle and finance officer Alison Patterson for the work they had done.

He said he was still working closely with the Environment Agency and Cumbria County Council to ensure the town is not forgotten after the damage from Storm Desmond in December, especially the flooding of homes in Lawson Street, Paddock Close and Springkell.

He added: "Above all the things I have mentioned I have left the most important one for me to the last and this is you, my fellow councillors, who continually devote your time and efforts to our town to make it something we are all very proud of and you all deserve special recognition for this."