A NEW mayor has been selected in Ulverston following an overwhelming vote of support.

Dr Bharath Rajan was unanimously elected at a town council meeting on Monday, May 18, and while he is delighted with the decision he is focused on the difficult road ahead.

Mayor Rajan, who has been involved with the town council for 15 years, said: "I'm very happy at the result.

"It's going to be a hard year because we have problems such as moving out of the Town Hall, money is going to be tight, we have to make sure that promises we have made are kept.

"This time I thought it would be a good idea to become the person to front the town and see what can be done to bring it forward."

The Woodland Road resident went on to outline his main objectives for his year in office, during which his annual allowance will be £1,950.

He said: "I want to make sure that the Coronation Hall is safe, Ulverston Inshore Rescue and Friends of Lightburn Park all need support.

"We have a town that's moving forward, a lot of industries are expanding and as a town council we need to respond to this and expand our vision to encompass a more forward thinking town."

Mayor Rajan, Labour, sat as deputy mayor for the past year and he will be joined in the council chamber by new deputy mayor Mark Wilson, also a Labour member.

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They replace former mayor Helen Irving, who said: "I would like to thank everyone for putting me here for a year. I have had a fantastic year."

Cllr Phil Lister, speaking of Cllr Irving's tenure, said: "We are very proud of you and you have done a great job during what has been a turbulent year."