A COUNCILLOR re-elected to chair Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council called for an end to the "animosity" which he said characterised the council's previous civic year.

Councillor Gary Swallow was voted back into the post at the annual meeting of this parish council on May 15.

He was put forward for chairman by councillors Trudy Mahon and David Mahon, while Cllr Tito Arana was nominated to be chairman by councillors Peter Clarke and Sarah Garner.

In the subsequent ballot, Cllr Swallow picked up six votes to Cllr Arana's four.

Commenting after the vote Cllr Swallow, who first took over as chairman in October 2016, said: "The last year has been quite difficult. We've had quite a bit of animosity and aggression shown at some meetings which I don't think is appropriate.

"We join this council because we love to serve this area and improve it.

"At the end of the day we're a parish council and we shouldn't be having arguments like they do in Parliament.

"I'd appreciate it if we show respect for each other, no matter what our different views are."

Cllr Trudy Mahon was nominated unopposed to continue as deputy chairman.