A SWALEDALE farmer has taken over as chairman of Richmondshire District Council.

Councillor James Kendall took over the role from the outgoing chairman, Councillor Jane Metcalfe, at the authority's annual meeting yesterday.

A resident of Reeth, he has represented Arkengarthdale, Ellerton Abbey, Marrick, Reeth, Fremington and Healaugh since first being elected to the council in 1991.

He has also been a member of Reeth Parish Council for the past 25 years and represents Richmondshire District Council on the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Scorton councillor Michael Heseltine takes up the position of deputy chairman. A former teacher at Scorton Grammar School, he served as chairman between 2000 and 2001.