Andrew Gravells and Patrick Molyneux have been appointed chairman and vice chairman respectively of Gloucestershire County Council.

At a full council meeting both councillors were voted into their new posts for the 2018/2019 civic year.

Conservative Cllr Andrew Gravells steps up from the role of vice-chairman and brings with him a wealth of experience in civic duties, having served as both a county councillor and a city councillor for many years.

Cllr Gravells, the county councillor for Abbey, said: "I'm very proud to be appointed as chair of this council. It's such a wonderful honour and a privilege to be given this opportunity by my colleagues here and the voters of Abbeymead and Abbeydale for putting me here in the first place.

"During my year in office I look forward to visiting all four corners of the county and getting to know them even better. I want to take any opportunity during the year to raise some funds for the excellent oncology centre in Cheltenham whenever and wherever I can."

Conservative county councillor for Sedbury Patrick Molyneux, becomes the new vice-chairman.

He is also the current chairman of the council's overview and scrutiny management committee.

Cllr Molyneux said: "It's a great honour to be made vice-chairman and I look forward to working closely with Cllr Gravells and the other members of the council."

The outgoing chairman, Conservative county councillor for South Cerney, Cllr Shaun Parsons, reflected on his year in the chair:

He said: "It's been a privilege to represent Gloucestershire as chair of the county council. I've thoroughly enjoyed my year as chairman and all the duties I've been involved in. I especially look back on welcoming all our British citizens from across the world."