A NEW team has taken the helm at Lymington and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Apollo Internet media sales manager Simon Judd, 36, is president, Trudie Russo, 45, owner of Martin & Co Residential Letting Agency, has been elected vice president, and the manager of Elliotts of Lymington, Neil Welker, 27, is junior vice president.

All were unanimously elected during the chamber's annual meeting at Stanwell House Hotel in Lymington.

Simon said he was looking forward to his new role but he warned that businesses throughout the district were facing difficult and uncertain times.

"National Park status brings with it a number of concerns, as well as opportunities for business owners.

"An increase in visitor numbers is beneficial to retail and tourism throughout the district, but at present we do not have the infrastructure in place to cope with more traffic and longer visitor stays."