A town council clerk has admitted making an error over an agenda which suggested councillors could use illegal sprays to protect themselves.

Whitehaven Town Council discussed proposals to keep councillors safe at a meeting on Thursday night.

Before the meeting, Whitehaven mayor Brian O'Kane said the item had been put on the agenda as a councillor had concerns over health and safety.

But, he confirmed, it is illegal to use pepper or mace spray, which had been proposed.

At the meeting, town council clerk Marlene Jewell said: "That was my fault, I should have put UK equivalent."

She added that there are sprays which give off an "aroma, red liquid or something that shows up under ultraviolet light".

"It was only a suggestion, it is up to the council to decide."

The council noted the report, which also included proposals to hire security guards, use personal alarms and give councillors police training on personal security.

Coun O'Kane said the agenda was "missing the phrase 'equivalent to pepper and mace spray'", adding "pepper and mace sprays are both illegal but there are equivalents which are more in line with dye type sprays".

The report stated: "An issue has been raised regarding councillor security and protection both inside and outside council meetings and it has been stated that there should be some form of security and/or protection for councillors both inside and outside of the meeting."

Although the clerk has responsibility for health and safety matters in the workplace, individual councillors have "a duty of care to themselves under health and safety regulations", the report says.

It adds: "There can be no liability on the council for the security or protection of councillors once they have left the building. If anything happens to a councillor outside then that councillor should report it to the police."

Coun Graham Roberts ruled out using sprays, saying it would create a lot of problems.

"Those who wish to buy a personal alarm should do so," he said.

While Coun Jayne Laine said she couldn't believe they had even considered mace or pepper sprays.

"We need to implement our health and safety at work policy, that's all we need to do," she said.

Cumbria Police confirmed that it is an offence to be in possession of a pepper spray and the town council had been made aware.