George Nobbs has been elected the new leader of Norfolk County Council with the support of a 'rainbow alliance' at County Hall.

The Labour, Liberal Democrat and UKIP groups united behind the Labour leader to elect him 42-37.

There had been doubt over whether the alliance would be backed by the Green group, but all four Green councillors voted for Mr Nobbs at the extraordinary meeting of the full council this morning.

After his opening remarks to the chamber, Mr Nobbs made two appointments to his cabinet to deal with the county's failing children's services department – a situation 'so serious' it needed immediate action, he said.

Labour's Mick Castle becomes cabinet member for education, and Liberal Democrat James Joyce becomes cabinet member for safeguarding.