An overhaul of committees and working groups has been agreed North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) in the wake of eight defections from the ruling Conservatives.

The move was agreed with an unopposed vote at last night's full council meeting - the first since the members switched allegiance.

And after a motion by Sarah Butikofer, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, councillors will also reconsider the leadership of the committees.

Speaking after the meeting, she said she put forward the motion because 'now that the council is a hung council', she wanted 'to be able to make sure that the whole council is working democratically, which is the aim of ourselves and the Independents.'

In a vote, 21 councillors supported the motion and 19 voted against.

Altogether eight councillors have left the Tory team lead by Tom FitzPatrick since June, the latest being Simon Hester, ward councillor for Priory.

At the council's most recent election in 2015, the Conservative group won 33 seats and the Liberal Democrats won 15.

However, following the resignations - many of which were made due to concerns over leadership - the council now consists of 24 Conservatives, 17 Lib Dems and seven members of a newly formed Independents group.

Also at the meeting, councillors voted unanimously to establish a capital budget of £75,000 to fund proposed improvement works of Highfield car park in Fakenham.

They also voted without opposition to set up a £40,000 fund to provide accessible changing and toilet facilities in the Maltings community centre in Wells-next-the-Sea, which is currently undergoing a redevelopment.

Vincent FitzPatrick, speaking in favour of the plan, said: 'These facilities will make the new Maltings more accessible for disabled people and I think that's really positive.'

He said the new facilities would also help make Wells more dementia-friendly.

Also, councillor Annie Claussen-Reynolds, cabinet member for the environment, praised the success of a new 'Community Fridge' - designed to cut food waste - which was opened last week in Fakenham.