Helston's new mayor-elect has urged people to "stop moaning and do something" in a bid to inspire the town's people to play their part in raising its fortunes.

Gillian Geer was nominated to become mayor for the 2016/17 civic year at a special meeting of Helston Town Council last Thursday.

John Martin was nominated to become her deputy in the same meeting.

Mrs Geer told the Helston Packet afterwards: "I feel I want to do it for the town. I really love Helston and always have. This is beyond my wildest dreams, to be in a position to become mayor."

She added that when she joined the council in 2013 she "never thought for one minute" she would ever become mayor.

Mrs Geer said that although the town council did not have the power to do as many things as the public often believed they could, she still believed it was a "worthwhile activity."

"I enjoy being on the council. I genuinely believe if everybody who wanted to actually got on and did something for Helston - something, somewhere - everybody would stop moaning. I was a moaner; now I think I'm there trying," she explained.

This was one area she hoped to develop as mayor, "that desire to try and do something", adding: "I also want to try and make the whole business of the town council 'visitor friendly' and make people realise what we do, and what we do for the town.

"I'm going to try very hard to show that there's 12 people sat there giving up their time to try and help the town."

Mrs Geer has been deputy mayor since December, after being elected two thirds of the way through the current civic year following the death of former post holder Mark Upton two months earlier.

She is already well known in the town through owning the "scoop shop" Gillian's Larder, formerly Gillian's Tubs, in Meneage Street.

Mrs Geer is also an active member of Helston Theatre Company, directing their recent production of Aladdin at the Epworth Hall, and heavily involved in the organisation of the Hal-an-Tow on Flora Day.

In her role as mayor she will automatically become president of the Helston Flora Day Association and walk in front of the dances - although not until 2017, as the mayor-making ceremony traditionally does not take place until the week after the town's feast day.

Mr Martin is also a familiar face in the town as a photographer and graphic designer, and former marking manager of Flambards.

Both Mrs Geer and Mr Martin are due to take up office at a special ceremony in May, when they will be sworn-in in front of their fellow town councillors and invited guests, including children from the town's schools.