DUNSTER county councillor Christine Lawrence has been appointed as chairman of Somerset County Council.

Cllr Lawrence, who has previously served on the authority's cabinet and is a former leader of West Somerset Council, was nominated by council leader Cllr John Osman.

"I'm greatly honoured and will do my upmost to continue the excellent work of the past two years," said Cllr Lawrence, who accepted the role at this week's meeting of the full county council.

"I am totally committed to celebrating the good works and achievements of Somerset."

In formally nominating Cllr Lawrence, Cllr Osman said: "I know that she will be a wonderful chairman.

"She is thorough, fair and approachable and will always put the county and its residents first."

Her appointment came after the resignation of former chairman Cllr David Fothergill, who stepped down from the post to take up a cabinet role with responsibility for highways.

Cllr Fothergill served as chairman for two years and during that time raised £38,000 for his chosen chairman's charities – the National Autistic Society and Somerset Trust for Arts and Recreation (STAR).

He used this week's meeting to give thanks to everyone who has helped with fundraising for his two charities and received glowing cross-party appreciation for his work as chairman.

Cllr Fothergill said: "I was always keen to use the privilege of chairmanship to help others far less fortunate than myself. In some small way I hope I have left a legacy to that end."

The role of county council chairman carries with it a special responsibility payment of £9,523 on top of the basic £10,583 paid to all county councillors.

However, it is less than the special allowance paid to cabinet members who receive a total payment of £27,000, while the overall council leader receives £42,000.