MAYOR Chris Hayes has issued a Christmas message to Whitehaven. 

Mr Hayes said: "Myself and the lady mayoress my wife would like to wish all of Whitehaven and the surrounding area a very merry Christmas and a prosperous new year. 

"On behalf of the council we hope that everyone has a fantastic time over the break, and they come back refreshed and ready for work. 

"I'm loving every minute of being mayor and at this time of year, I've been able to attend a number of carol services. 

"I've been to Carlisle and Cleator Moor recently to attend services and I'll also be doing things around Kells, which is my ward, this year I've also been running a Christmas Window Decoration Competition. 

"If the next four months are as good as the last eight months, then I'm really looking forward to it all.

"There's been a lot going on in Whitehaven recently, last Friday the town was buzzing, and it was so nice to be able to speak to people, it's taken a long time for the town to get busy but it's starting to get there now."