A historic chair that has been the official seat of Whitehaven and later Copeland Mayors since 1895 has been returned to Whitehaven Town Council.

The chair was being stored by Copeland Council which is due to merge into the larger Cumberland Council in April this year, so has returned the property back to the Town Council. 

The Chair was crafted by Joseph Dixon and his son William Clement Dixon in their workshop at 34 Duke Street and the ornate carving was done by Mr Burrows.

Joseph Dixon was the grandfather of the current head of Dixon's Department Store in Whitehaven which is one of only a half dozen independent family-owned department stores still in existence in the UK.

The chair has a strong history within Whitehaven and was used by either Whitehaven Town Council or Copeland Borough Council for well over a century. 

Mayor of Whitehaven, councillor Charles Maudling, said: "The chair is a truly magnificent piece of craftsmanship, and we are extremely grateful to Mike Starkie the elected Mayor of Copeland for facilitating this.

"The chair is a testimony to the craftsmanship of the time and its fabulous to think that the shop that made it is still in existence now."

Whitehaven News: The chair as it is now The chair as it is now (Image: Supplied)

Since it has stopped being used by Copeland Borough Council the chair has been stored in The Solway Hall, it was part of a backlog of items which were set to be repatriated back to Whitehaven Town Council. 

Elected Mayor of Copeland Mike Starkie, added: "It's fitting that as Copeland Council is in the process of merger into the larger Cumberland Council that the chair was returned to Whitehaven Town Council and I was happy to assist in the process.

"It's a fabulous piece of the town's history and it’s lovely to know that it will continue to be used for many years to come."

Further information on both councils and the work that they do can be found on their websites and social media pages.