HART District Council has elected Liberal Democrat David Neighbour as its new leader for the next four years.

The Yateley East councillor got the nod after winning 18 votes at the council’s annual meeting last Thursday.

Hart council, which covers the Crondall, Church Crookham and Odiham area, has 33 seats, made up of 14 Conservative, 10 Community Campaign Hart, eight Lib Dems, and one independent.

A new cabinet was also confirmed at the meeting, consisting of four Lib Dems and four Community Campaign Hart members.

Mr Neighbour (pictured) said: “I am humbled to be elected as leader of Hart District Council and look forward to working with the new Hart cabinet in taking on the workload required to benefit the whole district and its needs, in particular the emerging local plan and a sustainable medium-term financial strategy.”