Norfolk County Council has a new chairman, with councillor Ian Monson sworn in to the prestigious role.

Mr Monson, who represents The Brecks division, plans to use his year in office to champion the army of volunteers in the county, especially those who try to boost recycling.

He was sworn in at a meeting of the full council at County Hall today (Tuesday), succeeding outgoing chairman Shelagh Hutson. He said: 'I'm very much looking forward to spending the next 12 months representing the county council, and celebrating the wonderful county of Norfolk in this memorable year of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.'

The former cabinet member for environment and waste, added: 'I would like to champion the army of volunteers who work so hard on our behalf in so many different ways. In particular I would like to work with those who do so much to conserve our resources by renewing, reusing and recycling materials that would otherwise go to waste.'

East Flegg county councillor Jim Shrimplin, who has been a member of the authority for 15 years, was sworn in as vice-chairman.