Council officials are counting the petition's signatures

A 5,000 signature petition has been handed in demanding a referendum on the way Torbay Council is run.

Those who have signed it are demanding that an elected mayor rather than an executive committee of councillors runs the authority.

Torbay's Returning Officer said such an official would take the lead of the council. The council's leader was unavailable for comment.

That person takes the lead and is responsible for driving forward the issues the council is facing Paul Lucas, Returning Officer

The referendum campaign needs just over 5,000 signatures to force a vote. The council is verifying the signatures.

If they prove to be accurate, the council has four months to organise a referendum which could be seen by some as a no-confidence vote in the council.

Referendum campaigner David Scott said: "There are 11 directly elected mayors in the UK, and they give leadership, they get a move-on and get things done.

"Some people do not know who is directly accountable for decisions taken in Torbay. With an elected mayor, you would know."

If the process goes ahead, it will cost the cash-strapped council about �50,000. Earlier this week, it announced it was facing a projected �4.5m budget shortfall and may have to lose up to 100 jobs.

Torbay Returning Officer Paul Lucas said: "It adds effectively adds another person to the council and that person takes the lead and is responsible for driving forward the issues the council is facing and responding to."

Council leader Chris Harris was unavailable for comment on Wednesday.

If the process goes through in Torbay, there could be a mayoral election in October.