WORCESTERSHIRE County councillors have sworn in a new chairman and vice-chairman at their annual meeting.

Edward Sheldon MBE, who represents the Wychavon division of Bowbrook at county hall, was voted in unopposed at the meeting yesterday.

"I consider this a very great honour and it reinforces the fact that I have never regretted coming to Worcestershire more than 35 years ago," he said.

He takes over civic leadership from County Councillor Robert Bullock, who told members that being chairman had been a "wonderful experience".

Coun Bullock said the highlights of his year in office had been the county's Skills on Show event and a recent gathering to celebrate the first five years of Worcestershire County Council.

Former Mayor of Worcester, Coun Derek Prodger, narrowly beat Malvern's Diane Rayner to be elected as vice-chairman of the council.

Two votes

He won the coveted position, which will probably see him elected chairman in 2004/05, by just two votes.

Conservative leader Dr George Lord, who proposed Coun Prodger for the role of vice-chairman, called him an "honourable and very upright man".

During the meeting Dr Lord was re-elected as leader of the council.

He told members he was grateful for their "overwhelming" support and said he was looking forward to a further year at the helm.

"I will seek to act in a consensual, integrated and coherent way," he said.

"Members of the public want less of the politics and more commitment to providing the services they expect."

"I will do my best to serve this authority in the way it deserves," Dr Lord added.

County Coun Alwyn Davies was elected to serve as his deputy and a switch in the cabinet saw Coun Phillip Gretton (Redditch West) step down as assistant for social services to take up the chair of the health scrutiny panel. Coun Pam Davey (Droitwich South) takes his place.