LEIGH, Atherton and Tyldesley residents have decisively rejected the idea of Wigan Council being run by an elected mayor.

Some 9,000 people responded with 5,131 (56pc) voting to keep the existing leader and cabinet system with 2,478 (27pc) in favour of an elected mayor and cabinet and just 1,333 (15pc) backing an elected mayor and council manager.

Council leader Lord Smith said: "This is a decisive vote in favour of the system which we believe offers the best form of political management for the borough. I am pleased that the result is so clear-cut."