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

Councillor Clifford Wilson was been elected to the post yesterday, taking over from Councillor David Ashton.

Coun Wilson, who lives in Boroughbridge, has been a member of the authority since 1985 and has played an active role on the education, highways and transport and social services committees.

Married to Eveline, with five children and seven grandchildren, he was brought up in the local farming community and is governor of Boroughbridge High School and Breckenborough School, Thirsk.

A successful businessman, he entered the road haulage industry where he addressed the challenge of Europe before Britain's entry into the EEC in 1972, developing a company in France together with business interests in Germany, Italy and Spain.

He is now retired from the active side of the business, but retains a company directorship and an interest in the transport sector.

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

Councillor John Dennis, of Appleton Wiske, was elected vice-chairman, taking over from Coun Wilson.