The Conservatives have taken control of Carlisle City Council following a knife-edge vote.

Following the local elections, the Tories had 17 councillors and Labour 15 - both short of the 20 needed to take on leadership.

It was therefore up to the remaining councillors - four independents, one Liberal Democrat, one Ukip and one Green - to decide their preferred leader.

With no coalition deal agreed before hand, today's first full council meeting saw the vote taken place.

It ended with Conservative leader John Mallinson securing 20 votes in total and Labour's Colin Glover securing 19.

Mr Mallinson was backed by Lib Dem Trevor Allinson, Ukip's John Denholm and independent Jeff Bomford.

Mr Glover was backed by Green councillor Helen Davison and three three other independents - Jack Paton, Ray Tinnion and Rob Betton.