Confusion reigns in one town, after the wrong person was accidentally elected to the council.

There were 12 seats up for grabs at Silloth-on-Solway, with 18 candidates vying for the roles.

It was therefore a surprise to some when Peter Groucott was announced as one of the winners - despite polling the third lowest number of votes with 189.

His wife Karen Groucott, who was also standing, recorded 320 votes but did not get a seat.

Owen Martin, who was re-elected to Allerdale Council and Silloth town council, was among those who realised the Allerdale Council returning officer had read out the name of the wrong Groucott.

However, under electoral law, once a result is announced it must stand.

Mr Martin said: “I knew there had been an error, and raised it with a democratic services officer the next day.

“It was a very long day and the results were announced at 5am. It’s human error and these things can happen.

“They’re just trying to rectify it now.”

Lindsay Tomlinson, Electoral Services Manager at Allerdale Council, issued a statement apologising to Mr and Mrs Groucott.

“After the result for the Silloth-On-Solway parish council ward had been announced, it was realised the Returning Officer had mistakenly declared that Peter John Groucott had been elected, when the seat should have gone to Karen Groucott.

“Due to electoral law, once the result is formally announced, it has to stand.

“There are a number of options available to those affected including accepting the result, issuing a formal petition to ask for it to be changed, or working with the town council on options to co-opt onto a vacant seat when one arises.

“We have contacted Karen Groucott and Peter Groucott to inform them of the situation, and will be in discussions with them both about how they wish to proceed.

“The Returning Officer apologises to them for this mistake.”