Cllr Keith Longdon made an impassioned plea to Nottinghamshire councillors for help.

He said Eastwood was "plagued by traffic problems" and he would fight for the "vital regeneration needed".

He said: "Congestion chokes our historical town centre, and threatens to squeeze it to death. At a time when the vibrance of town centres is vital to ensure that local communities weather this economic storm, we should do all we can to protect vital and zestful towns like Eastwood."

The mayor, who has just been elected as the town's county councillor and was making the speech at his first county meeting, said it was the most daunting thing he had ever done.

He told the meeting: "Eastwood is a busy town with much to see and do. The economic regeneration of former coalfield areas like this is vital to the future of Nottinghamshire. Everything that can be done – should be done, to ensure the creation of jobs and the drawing down of inward investment of local, regional and national funding.

"I plead with the new administration to revisit Eastwood and look carefully at what can be done to ensure Eastwood has an exciting and sustainable future."

He highlighted traffic problems at the Ikea island, saying it backed up through Giltbrook, Newthorpe and Eastwood and that something desperately needed to be done.

"I hope some of the outlined funds find their way there. I will happily meet the cabinet member on site to show him the extent of the problems and hope that soon Eastwood begins to get the change and action that it has been waiting for, for a very, very long time", he said.

"I was delighted to see the new administration pledge £60million into Nottinghamshire's roads. It is something we Liberal Democrats have been calling for, for years and I will be watching that Eastwood gets it's fair share."

Cllr Longdon won his county seat at the elections last month from .

He said: "I will continue to speak up for Eastwood, it's proud communities and my neighbours who live there."