THE leader of Hambleton District Council has stepped down after ten years.

June Imeson OBE, council member for Great Ayton, has retired as leader to be replaced by Arthur Barker, who is councillor for Leeming.

But Coun Imeson will remain a key figure in the council, after being elected vice-chairwoman of the council for the next 12 months, working alongside chairman Coun David Smith, who is councillor for Crakehall, and takes over from Coun Percy Featherstone.

Coun Imeson said: "It was a very emotional time for me when I finally stood down, I had been planning it for a long while, but there was so much kindness there that it was very difficult.

"I am now looking forward to continuing to be involved in the council as vice-chairman, that was quite an honour when they voted me in.

"It was time to hand over control to Arthur, I am sure he will make a great leader."

Coun Barker said: "It was very rewarding to be voted in as leader. I have served as a councillor for 20 years, and have been deputy for several years, but it was still a very welcome move for me, and it is a role I look forward to filling for many years to come."

Updated: 10:23 Friday, May 16, 2003