NEWLY-elected county councillor Brandon Clayton has been handed a key role in Worcestershire County Council's restructured cabinet.

Conservative cllr Clayton has been appointed vice chairman of Worcestershire County Council.

His appointment was made in a restructuring of the cabinet announced by cllr Simon Geraghty last week, following his re-election as leader.

The Tory councillor for Redditch North said it was a "great honour" to be appointed.

"I was over the moon when I was asked to do it, but I had to consider it first," admitted cllr Clayton.

"I've never thought about doing anything like this and would never nominate or put myself up for something. It is a very proud moment for me to be elected by the other county councillors and to be the first vice chairman to represent the people of Redditch."

He added: "I look forward to a very interesting year ahead."

The new chairman of Worcestershire County Council is Anne Hingley, councillor for St Barnabas in Kidderminster.

Elsewhere, Adrian Hardman has been named deputy leader, with the Conservative cllr for Bredon also taking on the responsibility for adult services.

Leader of the council cllr Geraghty says his new team has a "vision" to shape the county's future.

He added: "We are making progress on the challenges we face but there is a lot to do and I am determined to deliver the ambitions that we have set out in our vision for the county, 'Shaping Worcestershire's Future'."