SOUTHAMPTON'S new opposition council leader has named fixing the city's roads as his number one priority.

New Conservative chief Dan Fitzhenry said the council should prioritise repairing the huge number of potholes in Southampton.

It comes after Harefield ward member was elected to the role unopposed this week.

The vote was sparked after former leader, Jeremy Moulton, was unseated from Freemantle in this month's council elections.

Speaking for the first time after being elected as leader, Cllr Fitzhenry said: "I will be prioritising improving the cities roads, repairing the huge number of potholes, cleaning up the state of the city and creating a strong economic and cultural city that is healthy and creates jobs and homes for it residents."

Cllr Fitzhenry's election as opposition chief came just days after Labour chose Cllr Chris Hammond as their new leader.

Cllr Hammond beat colleagues Mark Chaloner and Dave Shields to the role, after former Labour boss Simon Letts lost his Bitterne seat in this month's local elections.

Both were formerly approved to the roles of council leader and opposition leader at full council on Wednesday.

Speaking to the Echo, Cllr Hammond promised to make increasing the number of affordable homes in the city as one of his main priorities.

Daniel Fitzhenry profile

DAN Fitzhenry was born in Southampton in 1986.

He attended St George RC School in Swaythling and subsequently went to the University of Southampton in 2004 before leaving to set up his first business.

He first developed an interest in politics as a teenager when he was elected as the first Youth MP for Southampton in 2001.

Following on from this he was elected as a Councillor for Harefield ward in 2008.

In his time on the council, Dan has served as Chairman of the Planning Panel and as Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport until 2012.

More recently Dan was the Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group and Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel from 2015-2018.

Away from the council, Dan currently works in property and when not working enjoys fitness, reading and travelling.