A council has appointed a new mayor after its previous first citizen was convicted of theft.

Keighley town councillor Tony Wright, 51, was voted in by his fellow councillors during an extraordinary general meeting.

It comes after previous mayor Michael Westerman, 49, of High Spring Road, Keighley, stepped down after he was convicted of stealing players’ wages from the Keighley Cougars Rugby Club in September. He is still a serving councillor and was present at last Wednesday’s vote.

Now, Coun Wright says it is time to “leave the past behind” and get on with town council business.

He said: “There are a lot of things coming up for the town council, such as the opening if the new civic centre later this year.

“The role needs someone with a bit of energy and I feel I can supply that.”

Coun Michael Westerman was convicted of one charge of stealing £19.70 from the rugby club on August 15, last year, after a two-day trial at Bradford Magistrates’ Court in September.

He was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £600 costs.

Coun Wright, who previously served as town mayor in 2005, said the episode has not damaged the council’s reputation and called Westerman an “exemplary mayor.”

“I don’t think there is anything wrong with our image,” he said. “The problem is that people are griping from the sidelines to discredit us instead of working for the benefit of the town.

“The councillors are volunteers and they are doing their best for the community. We really need to work together.”

The politician, who lives in Ingrow, has been a town councillor since its formation in 2002. His first major engagement as mayor will be to unveil a plaque dedicated to members of the air forces at Keighley War Memorial during the Remembrance Service on November 11.