The county council’s last ever annual general meeting before local government in Cumbria could be reshaped has seen a vote for leader Stewart Young to retain his role.

Cllr Young, leader of the Labour group, faced a challenge for the top job by Hillary Carrick, his Conservative opposite number.

Cllr Young was re-elected after a recess to count the votes and won with 42 votes to 31.

In his acceptance speech, he said: “I’d like to thank the members for their support and confidence.

“I will endeavour to do my best and continue to lead the council for however long that happens to be, subject to the Government’s local reorganisation.

“I look forward to the headline in the papers tomorrow which I hope will read ‘Council votes to keep young’.”

In reply, the challenger Cllr Carrick said: “Just to congratulate you on being re-elected and well done.”

Cumbria County Council’s new chairman, Conservative councillor Anthony Markley, who was also elected into office at the same meeting, said: “I’m sure we will work very well together, as to whenever the end of Cumbria County Council will be.”

Stewart Young’s first term of office began in 1989 and he also sits on the chief officer’s committee and the Cumbria Health and Wellbeing Board.