THE leader of Poole council has been shortlisted for the national Leader of the Year award.

Cllr Janet Walton, who also holds the top role on the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole shadow authority, is one of half a dozen councillors to have been put forward for the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and CCLA prize.

According to the organisers, award winners will have demonstrated “outstanding commitment” and show that they have “overcome splits and factions” among councillors.

Cllr Walton said she was "honoured" to have been included on the shortlist and thanked her council colleagues and officers for their support since she became leader.

The winner will be announced at an awards event in London on Tuesday, November 6 following a decision by a judging panel of councillors and local government experts.