A NEW mayor has been elected for east Cleveland.

Conservative candidate Norah Cooney was appointed as mayor, at Eston Town Hall, on Tuesday.

Coun Cooney, who represents the Longbeck ward in Marske and New Marske, immediately expressed her sympathy for retiring deputy mayor Wendy Wall.

Labour councillor Mrs Wall was expected to take over the chains of office until Labour became the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's only opposition party last week.

Mrs Cooney, whose husband, Gerard, will be the mayor's escort, said: "I'm excited and very, very pleased to have been chosen. But I must admit I feel sorry for Wendy, she must be very disappointed about what's happened."

Mrs Cooney succeeds Eric Jackson.