Broadland District Council's longest serving councillor has become the authority's new chairman.

Conservative Tony Adams, who has been a Broadland councillor in Hellesdon for 38 years, takes over the chain of office from Stuart Dunn.

Mr Adams was born in Exeter but moved to Norfolk when he was two years old. Much of his career was spent working for BT – between 1966 and 1995.

Mr Adams, who is also a county councillor, said: 'I am very proud to be taking on this great honour. I will carry out my responsibilities to the best of my ability and look forward to meeting the people of Broadland over the coming year.'

Mr Adams has chosen The Dog's Trust in Snetterton as the chairman's charity for his year in office.

The Conservative-controlled council's current leader, Andrew Proctor, remains in post, along with his existing cabinet.

Meanwhile, the opposition Liberal Democrat group has appointed a new leader for 2014/15.

Dan Roper, who represents Spixworth with St Faiths, succeeds Nich Starling as leader.

Mr Roper also a county councillor, where he is cabinet member for public protection. had been the Lib Dem's prospective parliamentary candidate for Broadland, but has withdrawn.

Mr Starling said he had decided to step down as leader to concentrate on his own ward of Taverham North and to cope with the increasing workload of being a teacher.

He said: 'The last three years, whilst I have been group leader of the Lib Dems, we have seen our group buck the national trend by gaining councillors, both in by-elections and through a senior Tory leaving the Conservatives to join our ranks. This is down to the fact that the Lib Dems have been a principled and disciplined opposition on Broadland.'