ULVERSTON’S new mayor has spoken of her pride at becoming leader of the town she loves.

Helen Irving was born and bred in the town and has worked for the past 18 years as a cleaner and cook at Sandside Lodge Special School.

With growing public dissatisfaction about the quality of roads in the town and extensive opposition to the proposed on-street parking charges, she faces some tough tasks early in her tenure, but she is looking forward to the challenge.

“I just want to do things for the town,” said Coun Irving, a Conservative who also represents the Ulverston North Ward of South Lakeland District Council.

“I want to raise money for Ulverston charities like the Inshore Rescue and the town band. I’m also very proud to be a part of the World War One memorial, which is very important for the area. We’re not just thinking about the ones who lost their lives but the ones who were hurt as well.”

Coun Irving, of Garden Terrace, faces a strong and vocal Labour opposition during her year at the helm but she is confident of keeping the peace and ensuring Ulverston’s affairs are handled effectively.

“I got on well with the last Labour mayor, Judith Pickthall,” she said. “Politics doesn’t come into it – we should all get along because we all love Ulverston.”