THE Tory group on Bromsgrove District Council has chosen its new leader.

He is 60-year old Cllr Roger Hollingworth, who lives in Rowney, Green and who represents Alvechurch ward on the council.

He was the unanimous choice of the ruling Tory group which met to choose a new leader on Monday night. Cllr Hollingworth succeeds Cllr Dennis Norton who surprised many at the Council House when he suddenly announced his resignation last month.

The choice came as no surprise to many as Cllr Hollingworth is seen as a safe pair of hands, especially in the complicated field of local government finance.

Elected onto the district council just two years ago he has, however, had five years' experience in local government as chairman of Alvechurch Parish Council.

He was handed the cabinet's finance portfolio on the district council and with it the onerous and monumental task of getting to grips with the council's finances

In a tribute to his successor Cllr Norton yesterday said: "Roger did a splendid job in the cabinet. I am sure he will do an equally good job as leader."

Cllr Hollingworth is a retired managing director of a computer compan. He is married and has three children.

He said: "Cllr Norton has given us a firm base on which to build for the future. I realise I am taking on a difficult task, but look on it as a challenge."

The full council meets tonight, Wednesday, and as is the custom is expected to vote Cllr Hollingworth as its leader as he is leader of the largest party.