A council chairwoman has chosen eight charities to benefit from her year in office.

Councillor Pamela Anderson became the chairwoman of Ryedale District Council at the annual meeting this week.

Former chairman Councillor Lindsay Burr, handed over the chains of office.

Coun Anderson, ward member for Amotherby, is planning a number of fundraising events for her eight chosen charities.

The organisations, known as Ryedale Charities Together, are Ryedale Special Families, Ryedale Carer's Support, Acorn Services, Helmsley Walled Garden, In Touch, Next Steps, Ryedale Child and Youth Projects and Ryedale Voluntary Action.

Coun Anderson said: "My chosen charities are all Ryedale founded and based which work hard to help local people.

"They rely on volunteers and very few paid staff, making them dependent on grants and local fundraising and I am sure that they will benefit from the fundraising events I hope to hold throughout my year in office."

Conservative Derek Adamson has been elected to represent Thirsk on Hambleton District Council.

He was elected in a by-election held in the town on Thursday.

Taking 700 of the votes cast, he beat Liberal-Democrat Robert Adamson and Labour party candidate Claire Tupling. There was a 25.48 per cent turnout.

Councillor Adamson takes on the seat vacated earlier this year when Steven Hubbard resigned.