Whitehaven's new ceremonial mayor has vowed to improve town council relations.

Brian O’Kane was nominated unopposed for mayor for 2017/2018.

Remaining as deputy mayor is Graham Roberts, who was also unopposed.

Former teacher Mr O’Kane, addressing councillors and members of the public at a meeting of Whitehaven Town Council, spoke about the turbulent times the authority has had since its formation in May 2015, and of his hopes for its future.

Mr O’Kane said: “Our first two years have been a steep learning curve. I think we need to acknowledge that we have had two chairmen that have tried to keep us on the straight and narrow: Michael Guest and Raymond Gill, thank you very much.

“We realise that during that time we have made mistakes and we are bound to have made mistakes as many of us are brand spanking new to politics.

“I hope that we can work together as a team. We are here to represent the folk of Whitehaven.”

Following the meeting, he said: “I would like to express my gratitude to councillor Raymond Gill for getting us through a difficult year.”

He said there is a need for the town council to work with Copeland Borough Council, Cumbria County Council, and Highways England to improve the town.

“The most important thing is to find partnerships in the community to work with,” he said.

“The council is only 11 people. The only way forward is to build partnerships with people in our locality. The most immediate projects are to help clean up the town by working with Copeland Council and Cumbria County Council and to tackle the issues regarding parking.”

Mr O’Kane is well-known in the town for his role as a teacher at St Benedict’s School where he worked for 34 years.

He previously worked in Liverpool and also Moorclose in Workington as a teacher. He is married to Christine and the pair have two children, Simon and Emma.

Mr O’Kane’s chosen charity for his mayoral year is Marie Curie Cancer Relief.