CONSERVATIVES have taken a firm grip on power at a North Yorkshire local authority.

Newly-elected councillor for Hornby Castle, Melva Steckles, has been elected as the new leader of Richmondshire District Council.

The councillor is one of several Tories who now fill the senior positions at the authority following Tuesday's annual meeting.

Catterick councillor Ron Johnson was elected as the new deputy leader.

Coun Johnson stood as an independent at the recent elections, but has now rejoined the Conservative group.

The council's new chairman is Swaledale councillor Raymond Alderson, who is also back with the Tories after standing as an independent.

The vice-chairman is another Conservative, Lower Wensleydale member Keith Loadman.

Tories now also chair all four of the main committees.

A shake up of allegiances following the election means the council is now made up of 16 Conservatives, six Liberal Democrats, four councillors aligned to the Richmondshire Association of Independent Councillors and four from the Richmondshire Independent Group.

A new group, the Independents of North Yorkshire, has two councillors, former Tories John Blackie and Jill McMullon.

There are also two councillors not aligned to any group - Richmond East member, Russell Lord, and Howard Thomas, who stood as a Conservative in the Penhill ward.

Speaking after the meeting, Coun Johnson said: "We will work to continue raising the moral of the staff within the district centre.

"We want to develop good working relationships with other members.

"And I personally hope that the skills of everybody can be used appropriately.

"We also have to look to the future and make a decision with regard to the unitary authority."

The new chairman, Coun Alderson, also called on councillors to work together.

He said: "I think this year there was the most ever candidates standing for the 34 seats.

"There are a lot of new councillors through retirement and defeat at the polls, but we will have to get on.

"We will have to be ever watchful in getting the best for the people of Richmondshire.