The Mayor of Copeland revealed Whitehaven Town Council was the biggest problem during his first year in office, describing it as a "nightmare".

Mike Starkie made the comments during the town council's annual meeting but said the situation had now turned around and relations between the two councils were "much stronger".

He also admitted he had hoped that the town council would not exist for much longer during its first year.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Starkie said: "The four years I've been elected mayor has run concurrently with the formation and development of Whitehaven Town Council.

"I can honestly say in the four years the biggest problem in Copeland was year one of Whitehaven Town Council. Quite frankly, it was a nightmare.

"Getting towards the end of year one my only desire for Whitehaven Town Council is that it wouldn't exist for a lot longer."

The elected mayor said code of conduct meetings were "about as far as the relationship went" to begin with.

"That has got much stronger over the four years," he said. "Some of the things we're doing with the council have gone hand in hand with what's happening at Copeland, with the differences we're trying to make in the town.

"Largely thanks to Raymond Gill who took the reigns in a very difficult situation, the whole situation has now turned around.

"One of the best things over the last four years is to see a continual improvement and positive effect this council is starting to have on this town and that's what it was intended to do from the outset."

Mr Starkie gave examples of the work that had been done to improve Whitehaven over the last year, including improvements to St Nicholas' Gardens, the Pride of Place campaign and the £4.1m Buzz Station development.

"Whitehaven is starting to reverse the decline and move into better days," he said.

"It's all these little things coming together, starting to make a significant difference. It shows the strength of partnership working."

Graham Roberts, retiring mayor of Whitehaven, echoed Mr Starkie's comments.

"It can't be ignored that the council had encountered very difficult years previously," he said. "Now we are developing a strategic partnership with Copeland Council.

"Over the last four years we have had our ups and downs. We know we've had problems but thank you all.

"It has been a pleasure and sheer delight to have been mayor for this past year. I have enjoyed every minute."

Coun Roberts welcomed new members, Carla Arrighi, Edwin Dinsdale, Gemma Dinsdale, Ryan Redmond and Louise Walmsley, to the town council.

He also said farewell to councillors Raymond Gill, John Kane, and Siobhan Poland, who did not stand for re-election, and Jeanette Forster, who was not re-elected.

Mr Starkie said he was "optimistic" about the next four years.

"It's going to be a time of significant challenge with things like austerity but it's more about what we can do for ourselves and what we can do to make the area more sustainable. Working collaboratively is the only way that we're going to get where we need to go any time soon.

"The town and parish councils are going to have an ever increasing role to play as the nearest local authority to the communities.

"I'm hoping that the strong relationship that has been established by both councils can continue."