A LONG standing Skipton Market trader has been unanimously elected town mayor.

Cllr Martin Emmerson, a market trader for 33 years, had two hobbies, fishing and snooker, heard the annual council meeting last night.

And although born in Nottingham, his mother and grandparents were Skipton born, giving him 'excellent credentials'.

Cllr Robert Heseltine said he was proud to nominate Cllr Emmerson, a former pupil of Oakbank Grammar School, Keighley, who moved to Skipton in 2001, and who joined the council in 2011 at a by election.

Cllr Emmerson enjoyed fishing and playing snooker and was a former winner of the All England Market Traders Fishing competition, said Cllr Heseltine.

He is currently employed by the NHS delivering prescriptions to the elderly and disabled across Craven.

"He has become one of our well known characters in town and raises a lot of money for charity, I am proud to nominate him," said Cllr Heseltine.

Warm tributes were paid to outgoing mayor, Cllr Gordon Bell and his consort, Mary Bell.

Cllr Bell said he had enjoyed his year in office immensely and thanked his wife, Mary, who had spent some time in hospital earlier in the year after being struck down with meningitis and was still recovering.

Council leader, Cllr Chris Harbron, said Cllr Bell had been an exemplary mayor who he believed would have carried on for another year had it been allowed.

And Cllr Heseltine added both mayor and consort had been outstanding.

"You have been out of this world and on behalf of the residents and businesses of Skipton, I give my humble thanks."

Shadow leader, Cllr Peter Madeley (Lab) said in his 35 years in the town, he had never seen such an active mayor.

"I've seen more of you darting about wearing your chain and red robes than any other mayor and I wish you a well deserved rest," he said.

Cllr Andy Rankine (Lab) was elected deputy mayor.