A LEADING arts festival will have a new chairman and a new director for next year.

Peter O'Malley is stepping down as chairman of the Ryedale Festival and will be replaced by Ken Overton, an accountant, of Slingsby, who is also a member of the festival trust.

Malcolm Layfield is leaving after a decade as artistic director and is succeeded by Justin Doyle, currently artistic director at St Paul's, Knightsbridge.

Mr O'Malley said plans were already well under way for next year's festival.