People were left shocked and others walked out of an official mayor-making ceremony after a controversial twist in proceedings.

A secret ballot for the posts in Torpoint had taken place among town councillors in April with Mike Pearn being chosen as the mayor-elect and Eric Parkin as the deputy mayor-elect.

Normally, as a matter of course, the two selected candidates would be nominated and take up their respective roles at the annual meeting of the council.

However, the original decision has to be ratified at the annual meeting.

Mike Pearn was nominated and chosen as mayor, but following the nomination and seconding of Eric Parkin as deputy mayor, cllr Julie Martin stood.

She congratulated the mayor on being selected, however, she then nominated cllr Eddie Andrews for the post of deputy mayor, and this was seconded by cllr Ray Skelly.

There was shock in the public gallery, and councillors and mayor Mike Pearn had to look to the town clerk for advice.

The clerk admitted it was unprecedented – something he had never come across before and it would be for councillors to decide the way forward.

Cllr Parkin called for the matter to be adjourned for legal advice while outgoing mayor, cllr John Crago suggested the matter be settled 'here and now'.

With both proposals seconded, a vote was taken and it was decided by six votes to four to hold a secret ballot there and then.

The votes in this ballot were tied at six each and, having raised the idea of tossing a coin to decide the outcome, it was eventually left to the new mayor to make a casting vote.

Describing it as 'one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make', cllr Pearn cast his vote for cllr Andrews.

'The deputy mayor and I will have to work closely together and as a team,' he said.

Mr Parkin's wife, who was in the public gallery, left the hall before her husband stood to speak.

He told the meeting: 'My wife has left, obviously upset and humiliated by this.

He continued: 'There are people here I have no wish to spend the evening with, goodnight.'

He then left the meeting.

Speaking to the Cornish Times later, Mr Parkin, who has been a councillor for more than seven years, said: 'I don't gamble, I'm not playing a lottery, why should I toss a coin when other members have elected me?

'This is an absolutely horrible mess and the embarrassment for my wife, and my boys, my sons, is not good at all. The whole thing is extremely distasteful and I feel especially upset for my wife who was invited along to meet fellow members.

'All I wanted to do is get on with it.

'I just wanted to get started on helping the community because all I am interested in is public service.

'I intend to challenge the decision because it was not dealt with in the proper way.'

Mr Parkin will be making a complaint to the standards board about the way the meeting was held and about the incoming mayor.