COUNCILLOR Philip Awford has been appointed the new chairman of Gloucestershire County Council.

At a meeting of the full council, Cllr Awford was elevated from the role of vice-chairman to chairman for the 2014/15 civic year, replacing Tetbury Councillor Tony Hicks.

Cllr Awford, who represents the Severn Vale division, said he was delighted to be elected.

"It is a privilege to represent the county in this way and, for me, it’s very much the pinnacle of public life," he said. “I will endeavour to maintain the standards set by those who have gone before me.”

Councillor Graham Morgan, county councillor for Cinderford, was also appointed vice-chairman.