Controversial plans to return a north Norfolk town council's chairman title back to mayor have been approved, despite the idea being branded an 'absolute joke'.

Holt Town Council, which met yesterday evening (Monday), decided the council's chairman would in future be known as the mayor.

Colin Hipperson said: 'It would be in keeping with the other Norfolk towns.'

But Duncan Baker said the move would make the council 'a laughing stock' and added that they had more important things to consider.

Following the result Bryan Payne, now officially known as the town council's mayor, said: 'As far as I'm concerned it's the same job. It doesn't mean anything different apart from I'm now called mayor, not chairman.'