Councillor Debra Pitts will be following in the footsteps of both her father, Stephen, and her late mother, Dot, when she becomes Mayor of Douglas next month.

Councillor Debra Pitts was proposed by Councillor Ritchie McNicholl and this was seconded by Councillor Carol Malarkey and the nomination was unanimously agreed by a special meeting of Douglas Council.

Accepting the nomination, she said she was delighted to have been selected, adding: ’I’d like to thank my fellow councillors for having the confidence in me to carry out the important role of first citizen. I am committed to working hard to promote our town and the council.’

Her mother, Councillor Dot Pitts was mayor in 2008 to 2009 and her father, Councillor Stephen Pitts held the office in 2001 to 2002.

Council leader David Christian said: ’I am confident Councillor Miss Pitts will bring the same level of unwavering commitment and dedication to her role as Mayor of Douglas as she does to serving her constituents and the wider community. On behalf of the council I offer my sincere congratulations and wish her every success.’

Councillor Pitts, who represents Derby ward, said it would be an honour and she was humbled to follow in her father and mother’s footsteps.

She will succeed Councillor John Skinner who will leave office on Wednesday May 10.