Worcestershire County Council has elected a female chairman for the first time in 25 years.

Worcester councillor Mary Drinkwater, who represents the St Stephen ward, was elected at Worcestershire County Council’s annual meeting last week and will serve as chairman for the next year.

Coun Drinkwater said: “It’s an absolute honour for me to have been chosen as chairman of Worcestershire County Council. I will do everything possible to promote this county and to deserve the trust placed in me by my fellow councillors.”

She is the first female chairman since Joan Hadley, who held the position at the then Herefordshire and Worcester-shire County Council from 1981 to 1985.

Coun Drinkwater, who was born in the city, is a retired teacher who served on Derby-shire County Council before returning to Worcester and being elected as councillor for St Stephen in 1992 serving until 2004.

She spent eight years on Worcester City Council, be-coming mayor in 2000 – a year in which she hosted the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

In 2001 she joined the county council and has since served on numerous committees and she now chairs Worcester Highways Forums.

Last year she was vice-chairman to John Cairns, the outgoing county council chairman, who described his year as “truly memorable”.

Council leader Dr George Lord, who seconded Coun Drinkwater’s nomination for the post, said: “I know she will serve the council with great dignity and charm.”

Liberal Democrat leader Coun Liz Tucker welcomed Coun Drinkwater’s nomination: “I am delighted that we have a female chairman for the first time in 25 years.

“I think Mary will make an excellent cross-party chairman.”

The county council’s vice-chairman will be Coun Ed Moore, who represents Clent division in Bromsgrove.