RESIDENTS have voted in favour of a mayor and cabinet to run their town.

Every home in Hartlepool was sent a form asking residents to choose whether they want the council to be run by a mayor and cabinet, or a mayor and council manager.

All councils must introduce a new political structure by next year and each council's preferred form of leadership has to submitted to the Government by June this year. A referendum on the change will then be held.

The results of the recent consultation in Hartlepool showed that 55.6 per cent were in favour of a mayor and cabinet, while 44.4 per cent preferred the council manager option.

A council spokesman said: "Although both options received a substantial amount of support, there is clear preference for option one - mayor and cabinet - and therefore this option should be incorporated in the proposals to be sent to the Secretary of State and be the subject of a referendum."

Before the submission is made, members of the Hartlepool Partnership and other groups in the community will be given the chance to comment on the proposals.