Following her historic election as Eden's only Labour councillor, Lissie Sharp is already getting name-checked by her party leader.

Jeremy Corbyn gave the new Alston Moor district councillor a mention during last week's high-profile rally in Carlisle.

While addressing the huge crowds, the Labour leader also praised the wider efforts of local activists in the remote Cumbrian town, where the party is gaining firm ground after two recent elections.

Ms Sharp secured Alston Moor's second seat on the Conservative-dominated Eden Council at a by-election a few weeks ago.

It came just two months after Labour's Claire Driver secured the Cumbria County Council seat for Alston and East Fellside in the local elections.

Mr Corbyn used the city centre rally to highlight the local fight against NHS cuts, singling out efforts to save hospital beds in Alston.

He added: "As you all know Alston is not the biggest place in the country, indeed it is quite small - and they would be the first to say that; but they work so hard for the Labour party there

"They won a council seat in a by-election where Lissie Sharp got elected, and we've never had a Labour councillor there before.

"Lissie - congratulations, and congratulations to Alston Labour."

Ms Sharp was at the rally along with her three children, aged 10, seven and three, but had no idea she would be mentioned.

"I wasn't expecting it at all," she said.

"I was stood just a few people in front of him. He mentioned the Alston NHS banner first. That's been at a lot of things.

"Then he was talking about the hospital fight, and he suddenly mentioned my name.

"I was quite taken aback."

Afterwards she was among a group who met Mr Corbyn in person.

"He shook my hand and said I'd done a good job," she added.

"I thought he was really nice and down to earth. Somebody really genuine and for the people.

"What he was saying didn't seem like flannel. He really meant it. He just seems like a genuinely nice guy," said Lissie.

"Also, the policies he is putting forward aren't just his. They have come from all members of the Labour party. We all feel involved.

"It was great to see him speak. He really understood what was happening locally."

Ms Sharp in not strictly speaking the first Labour councillor on Eden Council.

About 18 years ago, Labour's Eric Wilson was elected to represent Pategill, Penrith, when no other party put forward a candidate.

But it is the first time the party has won a contested seat on the council.

Ms Sharp clinched 407 votes, while her closest rival, Conservative Jim Clapp, received 243.

She will represent Alston Moor alongside the area's independent district councillor Pat Godwin.

It is Ms Sharp's first stint in politics but one that seemed a natural progression for someone with such strong local links.

Born in Alston Moor, her parents were members of the Labour Party and she was a member of the Eden Youth Forum, which saw her put forward representations to local councils on key issues.

At university, she studied social science and politics as part of her degree and went on to work in social housing.

She is also in the process of setting up a youth club in the town and is a member of the local parent teacher association.

Ms Sharp has campaigned on local issues and most recently was involved in Ms Driver's county council election canvassing - which inspired her when the district council seat came up.

"We did a lot of door knocking. We had people saying they have never supported Labour before and some who have never voted, but this time they are going to," she said.

"On the night of the count I was a bit apprehensive.

"I didn't know which way it would go. As the night went on I started to feel that I might get it. I was delighted with the result.

"The Labour Party in Alston have done such a good job. This can be seen as quite a Conservative place - but obviously not.

"Hopefully I will be the first of many Labour councillors on Eden Council."

Lissie will attend her first council meeting after the summer break on September 7, and is looking forward to working with her fellow Alston councillors to address the issues flagged up while canvassing, and making sure the area has a strong local voice.

"A lot of people on the doorstep were talking about the hospital and the affect that losing the beds will have.

"Also housing, particularly affordable housing and renting, is an issue," she said.

Buoyed by the recent General Election results and Mr Corbyn's continuing popularity at rallies such as that in Carlisle, she believes the Labour Party has a bright future ahead both locally and nationally.

"I think we have got a good chance going forward. Things are changing. People aren't happy about what's going on," she added.