A town's mayor has apologised after he posted a photograph of a Remembrance Sunday commemoration with a rival politician edited out.

Somerset Labour councillor Leigh Redman said he "regrets that the post has become a distraction from what should be a day of remembrance, reflection and respect".

Conservative councillor Diogo Rodrigues said it was "insensitive" that he had been "erased" from the photo which was taken in Bridgwater on Sunday. He said he had taken "great offence" from the "disrespectful" act.

Redman said he had not intended to cause offence but that he "accepted that concern had been caused". He offered his "sincere apologies" to Rodrigues "and anyone else who was upset".

In a statement Redman said: "The mayor recognises the significance of Remembrance Sunday and the importance it holds for veterans, serving personnel, their families and the wider community."

The edited photo was also used on Bridgwater Town Council's official press release about the service, after it was provided by Redman.

A spokesperson for Bridgwater Town Council said it had been used "in good faith" and it was not aware at the time of publication the photo had been altered.

The council said it was reviewing its procedures around the use of images and AI and would also be taking control of the content published on the mayor's social media channels going forward.

Rodrigues was previously Bridgwater mayor, when he was a member of the Labour party.

He said he did not know who had edited the photo but it was his understanding only Redman had access to the Bridgwater Town Mayor Facebook page where it was posted.

Rodrigues said he had been asked by others in the town, subsequently, whether he had "beef" with Redman, as a possible motive for being edited out.

"I said no. I've got no beef with anyone," said Rodrigues.

"Clearly we have different political views but something like Remembrance Service, you put political views aside so I have no idea what the intention was.

"I think it was a stupid act."

Twelve years ago, the Conservative Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger edited a fellow Tory out of an official photograph because he was "narked" with him.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.