A NEW face has taken over as the chairman of North Yorkshire County Council.

Coun Clifford Wilson was been elected to the post taking over from Coun David Ashton.

Coun Wilson, of Boroughbridge, has been a member of the authority since 1985 and has served on the education, highways and transport and social services committees.

He is a governor of Boroughbridge High School and Breckenborough School, Thirsk, and a Freeman of the City of London. He has served as chairman of the Road Haulage Association Yorkshire and the North East and is also past chairman and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management.

He said: "It is a great honour to be elected chairman of North Yorkshire County Council, particularly given the current debate on regionalisation and local government."

Coun John Dennis, of Appleton Wiske, has been elected vice-chairman.

There is a familiar ring to the new leadership on Richmondshire District Council.

Scorton Conservative Coun Michael Heseltine was elected as chairman and Hawes' Conservative councillor John Blackie was elected as leader.

Coun Heseltine was chairman of the Richmondshire authority in the 2000 to 2001 municipal year while Coun Blackie has been leader of the council for the past four years.