PAT Wyeth has become chairman of New Forest District Council for the second time in ten years.

The long-serving Lyndhurst councillor has succeeded Netley Marsh member Les Puttock, whose 12-month term of office came to an end at the council’s annual meeting.

Cllr Wyeth, who was also chairman in 1999-2000, was born at the Fenwick Hospital in Lyndhurst.

After moving to Scotland and Wales when her stepfather was in the Royal Navy she returned to Lyndhurst in 1948 and has been involved in the local community ever since. During her year in office Cllr Wyeth will chair council meetings and represent the authority at functions across Hampshire.

“I will do my best to serve the community of the New Forest while continuing my role as a local member for Lyndhurst,” she said. “I hope I’ll be a worthy ambassador for the council.”

The authority’s new deputy chairman is fellow Conservative John Penwarden, pictured with Cllr Wyeth, who represents Bransgore and Burley.

Alan Weeks has succeeded fellow Totton councillor David Harrison as leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group.