At its annual council meeting last Tuesday (15 May) members of the district council elected their Chairman for the coming civic year.

We're delighted to announce that the Chairman, the first citizen of the district, is Councillor John Clarke, Conservative councillor for Ibstock West.

John is a committed community activist and is delighted to announce that for his civic year his chosen charities will be The Alzheimer's Society and Hospice Hope. John is looking forward to raising funds for his charities and, of course, meeting as many local residents as possible.

North West Leicestershire Conservatives would like to thank outgoing Chairman, Councillor Virge Richichi, for his sterling work over the past civic year.

Thank you for all of your hard work, Virge!