THE election of a mayor to serve Richmond in the coming year has been thrown into confusion following a tied vote.

Coun Linda Curran eventually accepted the office after town councillors pledged their support, but relinquished the role the next morning.

The town council meeting on Monday night was suspended for private discussion when a secret ballot resulted in a tie.

Coun Curran and Coun Russell Lord, the current mayor, had been nominated and, following the vote, Coun Curran offered to withdraw.

However, after a discussion in private, Coun Lord insisted on standing down, as he was the second nominee and had already served a civic year.

"I have had a fabulous year as mayor and have had the chance to do much more in a year than most people," he told the meeting. "It may have been a split vote but that doesn't mean that Coun Curran doesn't have the full support of the council."

Coun Curran, development worker for the Disability Action in Richmondshire charity, would have taken over from Coun Lord in May.

But on Tuesday morning she announced that she would not accept the chain of office.

She told the D&S Times: "I have thought about it overnight and I can not accept the office of mayor if I have the support of only half of the council.

"The usual procedure after a tied vote is to hold a second vote, but this did not happen. In spite of what was said at the meeting, I feel I would not have the full backing and support of all members and, as such, I can not accept the office of mayor."

Town clerk Peter Clarke said it was not clear what the next stage would be.

"The situation is still very fresh," he said. "People need some time to consider their options and will discuss the situation at the next meeting, when things may be clearer."