BISHOP'S Castle has a pressing need for jobs and housing.

This was the message from Karen Bavastock who has been elected to serve a second consecutive term as mayor.

She said one of her great disappointments has been the lack of success in getting companies to move onto the Bishop's Castle Business Park.

“This to my mind is a crying shame,” she said.

“Prime land which could bring jobs to our local community lying empty is not a good thing when it could be bringing jobs and income into the town.”

She also said a lack of appropriate housing is also damaging Bishop's Castle.

“I want housing issues addressed to enable young families to stay in the town instead of being forced to move out,” said Coun Bavastock.

“We need more affordable housing for local people to ensure they are able to take the first step on the housing ladder but we also need jobs.”

The major praised the organisations that run the festivals and other events in the town.

She said that the allotments in the town are going from strength-to-strength with their currently being no vacancies.

The mayor said that there had been a number of highlights including the commemoration of the start of the First World War.

There was praise for the refurbishment of Bishop's Castle Town Hall and the efforts of the local community in raising £49,000 towards a £62,000 target to help pay for the work.

Diane Malley has stepped down after six years as town clerk and been replaced by Mary Sheldon.

During the past year two new councillors Kelly Price and Josh Dicken have joined Bishop's Castle Town Council. The recent resignation of John Morris leaves a vacancy that needs to be filled.