THE mayor of Ripon said he was "humbled" after he survived a vote of no confidence.

Councillor John Stockdale survived calls for his resignation at a specially-convened meeting of the city council.

He had angered some of his fellow councillors with his views on bed cuts at Ripon Community Hospital.

A motion of no confidence had been signed by seven members of the authority, but it was defeated by eight votes to three. Some of those who signed the motion were not present, while others had a change of heart.

Councillor Bernard Bateman spoke in support of the mayor. He said: "You are a credit to our city. You have put in more hours than many who are proposing this motion."

Speaking after the meeting, Coun Stockdale said: "You can't help but be humbled by fellow councillors and the members of the audience who were there to support me.

"I would be the first to resign if I thought I had done anything wrong."