REX Lingham-Wood is expected to become the new chairman of Buckinghamshire County Council at its next meeting on June 28.

Mr Lingham-Wood, county councillor for Gerrards Cross (Con) for the past 24 years, was chosen by the Conservative group on the county council on Friday evening its first meeting after Thursday's elections.

Cherry Aston, who represents Hazlemere north, was chosen as vice-chairman.

The two, if the choice is ratified by the full council, will take over from Ken Ross and Audrey Bainbridge, neither of whom stood for re-election.

A third candidate, Frank Sweatman, the Conservative councillor for Marlow north, was eliminated at the first ballot.

At the same meeting the Conservative councillors also chose David Shakespeare, the present council leader, to continue as group leader for another year. He was unopposed.

Mr Shakespeare then nominated Bill Chapple to continue as deputy-chairman.

Mr Shakespeare will also pick the rest of the eight person cabinet. He is on holiday at present but discussed the line-up with Mr Chapple on Saturday.

The cabinet choices will be put to the Conservative group at a group meeting on June 27 and then to the full council on June 28.