A gay couple in Hartlepool are making history by becoming the first civil partnership in the country to hold the positions of council leader and civic mayor.
Labour councillors Christopher Akers-Belcher and Stephen Akers-Belcher have been in a civil partnership for seven years.
Christopher, who is Labour group leader, will become leader of Hartlepool Council from Monday while partner Stephen, who is currently chairman of the council, is set to be confirmed as ceremonial mayor next week.
“We are really proud to be the first civil partnership in the country to hold both roles and it just shows how progressive Hartlepool has become,” Christopher told the Hartlepool Mail.