CONONLEY Parish Council has a new chairman.

Councillor Alan Parker, formerly vice-chairman, has been elected to the post.

The 71-year-old said he was pleased to take on the role.

But he will only serve until the spring, when he is retiring from the parish council.

"I made it known last October that I would not be seeking re-election in May," said Cllr Parker, who lives in the village.

"To be elected chairman was totally unexpected, but it is nice to think that I can give of my best in leading the council and assisting our clerk during the next three months and then retire on a high note."

Cllr Parker – a former community correspondent for the Keighley News and sister paper, the Craven Herald – joined the parish council in August, 2007.

He became vice-chairman in 2016.

His appointment as chairman follows the resignation from the council last month of Cllr Lois Brown, who had held the post for ten years and served as a councillor since 2005.

The new vice-chairman is Cllr Nick Swain.

Following the resignation last month of another councillor, Jill Cockrill, who was leaving the village, there are now two vacancies on the council.

Anyone interested in being co-opted should contact the clerk, Helen Gibbs, on cononleypc@gmail.com or 01535 635046.