A regional journalist has landed a surprise internet hit after accidentally setting a video of a planning meeting to music.

Charlotte Green created the “edgy indie northern spoken word” track by mistake after old footage of a planning debate at Oldham Council began playing while she was listening to music on her computer.

Charlotte subsequently posted a video of the mash-up, which can be viewed below, on Twitter and it has been shared hundreds of times.

Even the council, which she covers for the Manchester Evening News as a BBC-funded local democracy reporter, shared its praise for the track.

So I was playing some music on my computer but didn’t realise an old planning meeting had started playing in the background as well because it works too well as an edgy indie northern spoken word intro – enjoy! pic.twitter.com/vPginbYKlu

— Charlotte Green (@CharGreenLDR) January 26, 2022

Posting her video, Charlotte wrote on Twitter: “So I was playing some music on my computer but didn’t realise an old planning meeting had started playing in the background as well because it works too well as an edgy indie northern spoken word intro – enjoy.”

In response, Oldham Council’s official Twitter account wrote: “We like this – fancy doing one for the next full council meeting?”

The original song played in the background is Those Words by American band Mattiel.

Fans of Charlotte’s track likened it to the work of London-based act Public Service Broadcasting, who combine samples of old public service messages with modern instrumental tracks.

Speaking to HTFP, Charlotte said: “I’m definitely surprised that a recording featuring the chair of the Oldham planning committee has gone slightly viral.

“Something that made me smile during my Covid isolation has clearly struck a chord with people whose love for indie overlaps with a passion for public affairs. There may even be appetite for a full album of planning sound bites; watch this space.”