ANDOVER Town Council re-elected Cllr Geoff McBride as its chairman at the annual council meeting at the Guildhall on Wednesday.

McBride is an independent councillor for the St Marys ward and received the support of his councillors to continue in the role as chairman of the council.

He said: “I would like to thank all my staff and also put a big emphasis on all our volunteers who help and have helped with events such as the Christmas lights switch on and with the allotments.

“Of course I would like to thank all my town councillors and the office staff and to my vice chairman for the previous year, Andrew Fitchet, who in all honesty has been more like my sergeant major!”

A new vice chairman was elected on the night with Veronika Pond replacing Andrew Fitchet.

Cllr Katherine Hamilton proposed the appointment and said: “Veronika has been very dedicated to her role since being elected and always strives to help and support Andover residents.

“I feel she will be an extremely good attribute and will support the chairman well.”