Carl Smith has been re-elected as leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

Mr Smith, of the Conservatives, has been re-elected at a full meeting of the council in a vote at the town hall.

Following May 4's local elections the Conservatives had lost control of the council.

Those elections saw 19 councillors elected for the Conservative Party, 18 seats for Labour and two independents voted in.

It meant the two independents, Adrian Thompson and Justin Rundle, had held the 'keys to power' in any votes at the full council as no party had overall control.

However at Thursday's meeting only Mr Smith was nominated for the leadership vote and the Labour group abstained from voting.

Thursday's election for leader saw both independents support the Conservatives in supporting Mr Smith's leadership vote - although due to the Labour members abstaining en masse their two votes were not crucial in deciding the matter.

Mr Smith said he was honoured to be chosen as leader again and hoped his party could work with the Labour opposition group to tackle "serious issues" surrounding the financial situation the council faces.

The meeting also saw Penny Carpenter made mayor of the borough.

Her chosen good causes for her mayoral year are Marie Curie in GY & Waveney (community care), 1st Caister-on-Sea Scout Group, Caister Lifeboat and Redwings Horse Sanctuary.

Graham Plant was named as deputy leader and the deputy mayor was named as Paula Waters-Bunn.

Mr Plant had been the borough mayor for 2022/23 and thanked all who had supported him in the role.

The night also saw Rev Albert Cadmore named as mayor's chaplain for the next 12 months and Harry Love, a police cadet, was named mayor's cadet for the year ahead.