After seeing his party gain five seats at the local elections, the Conservative group leader on Winchester City Council is to quit.

Freddie Allgood is passing the reins to Barry Lipscomb.

Mr Allgood has led the Conservative group since 1996, and feels his seven years at the top have been a success.

"I started with a group of nine councillors and I've finished with a group of 18, so I've doubled my money.

"I'm coming up to my 70th birthday next month so I feel I'm entitled to take it easy!"

He thinks that Mr Lipscomb is the right man to carry on where he left off.

"I think he (Mr Lipscomb) has got some fresh ideas which will be good for Winchester."

Mr Lipscomb, in turn, who represents Wonston and Micheldever, has praised the work of Mr Allgood.

"He has led us in circumstances that were far less easy than those that I have inherited."

Mr Lipscomb said he expected to keep making gains on the city council and to overtake the Lib Dems as the largest party.

Despite standing down as Tory group leader, Mr Allgood will continue in his role as head of the principal scrutiny committee at the city council.

Leader of the Lib Dems and Winchester City Council, Sheila Campbell, feels the change of leadership confirms a claim in her annual report to residents in her ward of Swanmore and Newtown in which she argued that the Tory group leader would get a pay rise of 90% after a review of council allowances.

Mr Allgood rejected the claim, saying he was not entitled to the extra money as he could only claim one allowance, which he received for leading the principal scrutiny committee.

Mrs Campbell responded by saying that if Mr Allgood stepped aside as group leader, his successor could pocket £7,446 per year, instead of £3,886.

Mr Lipscomb received no special responsibility allowances last year, and was only entitled to a basic allowance of £5,226.

With an increase of 3.5% in the basic allowance this year, Mr Lipscomb will now be entitled to a combined pay packet of £12,894.

"What they've done now is divided the two roles, which means they qualify for two different allowances," said Mrs Campbell.