CANCER Research Campaign has been chosen as the charity to be supported by the new chairman of Malvern Hills District Council.

Coun Barbara Williams has already raised £20,000 for the fight against the disease, which claimed the life of her husband Andrew, and her future plans include a concert at Worcester Cathedral next month and a walk along the Great Wall of China in October.

At the annual meeting of the council on Tuesday (May 8), Coun Williams was chosen to succeed Malvern Link councillor Pat Raven as chairman.

Coun Williams has represented the Martley ward for six years and tributes were paid to her "warmth and energetic personality".

"There's no doubt she will make a splendid job of it," said council leader Reg Farmer, who was re-elected to the position.

Former Upton mayor Mary Wilkinson was elected vice-chairman of the district council, making her the favourite to take over the chairmanship in 2002/3.

In accepting the position of chairman, Coun Wilkinson repeated the advice she said she gave her children when they were having to sit exams or start new jobs.

"I always said 'do your best' and that is what I will do," she said.

In her last speech as chairman, Coun Raven spoke about the difficulties caused by flooding and the foot and mouth crisis during her civic year.

"Foot and mouth, thankfully, was not too bad in this district but it still had a terrible effect on the lives of many people," she said.

She called for a national inquiry into the management of farm animals, with the welfare of animals in mind, into the handling of the crisis and "perhaps a return to local produce for local people".

Earlier in the day, Coun Raven visited the Malvern Hills Homeless Young Adults Trust Foyer project to present the charity with a cheque for £400, the result of fundraising by staff and councillors during her year in office.

During the annual meeting she also presented £400 to Community Action and £400 to Great Malvern Relief in Need.