THE new chairman of Malvern Hills District Council is Cllr Dean Clarke.

Cllr Andrea Morgan handed over the chain at the annual meeting, which also saw Cllr Caroline Bovey elected as vice-chairman.

During her time in the role, Cllr Morgan raised just over £3,000 for Worcestershire Cancer Aid.

Her most recent charity efforts saw her raise the roof and more than £1,500 as part of her Chairman's Charity Chorus Challenge where she sang with choirs in 87 churches across the district.

Cllr Clarke has been a district councillor for ten years and will devote the next 12 months to his duties. His chosen charity for the year will be Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven, a charity supporting people with breast cancer and their families across Worcestershire.

He said: “I am privileged to be taking over the role as chairman for Malvern Hills District Council and I am looking forward to the year ahead. Andrea brought a fair and friendly spirit to the council over the past 12 months and I hope I can emulate that, together with her fantastic charity efforts. I hope we can all work together and be an inclusive council.”

Cllr Morgan said: “I am so proud to have been chairman and i have loved every minute of it. The highlight of my year was the singing challenge where I got the opportunity to meet so many fantastic people who were all so welcoming. I am so honoured to have been the mouthpiece for this council for a short period of time and I want to thank everyone for their support.”