While the consultation on the future of Cumbria county council and the six district councils in the area goes on, we look back at the first-ever elections for the county council.

They took place in May, 1973 ahead of the end of Cumberland County Council and the formation of the new county of Cumbria the following year.

It was an exciting election and right up to the last minute it was a neck-and-neck struggle, as Labour, Conservative and Independents vied for the majority which could win control of the new county.

In Carlisle, the Labour party had a landslide victory, seizing 10 of the 12 city seats.

However, across the county the balance of power fell to the Independent candidates and an alliance was formed between them, the Conservatives and the one Liberal councillor to form an administration.