A "strong leader" described as "a natural" in the role of mayor has been elected to oversee Helston for another year.

Tim Grattan-Kane was elected for a second term in office last week, having been nominated by fellow councillor Mike Thomas.

He praised Mr Grattan-Kane "can do spirit," adding: "You have demonstrated during the last year your capacity to be a strong leader and at the same time sensitive to the aspirations of your fellow councillors – many of whom were newly elected in 2021.

"You have taken over the role of mayor as a natural and you exude an unassuming confidence that is reassuring for all of us to see.

"Your expectation of our behaviours and of our politeness to each other have been high – I’m sure you didn’t think that when you led, in a previous life, the Metropolitan Police’s elite South London Murder Squad, that your skills honed in that role would be so easily transferable to leadership in local government here in West Cornwall."

Accepting the role, Mr Grattan-Kane began by thanking the medical professionals and volunteers who had supporting the community during his first 12 months as mayor, which had seen high Covid infection rates, hospitalisations and deaths.

He went on to say: "Last year I mentioned the particular challenges that Covid has placed on our young in relation to schooling, socialising, exams and life in general. I asked people to show tolerance and support.

"Whilst Helston has experienced an increase in anti social behaviour, we must not let our perception of the young be dominated by the few. In this town we have dedicated people working hard to support our young."

He highlighted the The Furry Youth Café, Central Methodist Church, Culdrose Community Centre and Helston Town Band, as well as the town's sports clubs referencing Helston RFC's under 16s who had just become County Champions.

"We can’t repair the damage of Covid with a click of our fingers but the continuing work of these groups gives me great hope for the future," he said.

Mr Grattan-Kane also paid tribute to Helston's former projects officer Martin Searle, who retired last month after overseeing a huge amount of work in the town, not least the spending of the government's Welcome Band Fund on safety measures, events, performances and activities, a town photo competition and the St Piran's Day lantern parade.

And he gave special recognition to two events in the town this year: the 75th anniversary of RNAS Culdrose with its Freedom of Information Parade and the "outstanding" return of Helston Flora Day thanks to the work of the Flora Day Association and Helston Town Band.