A NEW-LOOK Richmondshire District Council has begun to take shape in the wake of the local elections on May 1.

The Conservatives have now taken over as the dominant force on the authority - previously led by an association of independents - and all the political groups have now confirmed their senior members.

The Tories will be led by Addlebrough's Yvonne Peacock, while the Richmondshire Association of Independent Councillors (RAIC) have Hornby Castle's Councillor Richard Dunn as their new leader.

Richmond East's Councillor John Harris will take over the reins in the Liberal Democrat camp, while the Richmondshire Independent Group, which split from RAIC in 2001, will be led by Hipswell's Councillor Paul Cullen.

The authority's first meeting takes place at the council offices on Richmond's Frenchgate at 6.30pm on Tuesday, when members will select a new leader and chairman of the authority and appoint the new committees.