A FORMER banker has been elected as South Ayrshire's new council leader after the shock resignation of Hugh Hunter.

Troon Councillor Bill McIntosh was voted into the leadership role at a special council meeting last Wednesday.

His predecessor, Prestwick Councillor Hugh Hunter, suddenly quit the previous week following the contentious decision to axe the community bid to run Girvan pool.

Councillor McIntosh has also taken the reigns of South Ayrshire's Conservative group.

Speaking to the Advertiser Series on Thursday, Councillor McIntosh said: "The main thin is to improve the collaboration with the Conservative administration, SNP and independents and that is vital. We will build on the excellent work already undertaken. That will be challenging but we are better placed and we are up for the difficult challenges. All councillors are here to do the best for the people of South Ayrshire." 62-year-old Councillor McIntosh was first elected for the Troon ward in 1999 after a long career in banking.

Full story in this week's paper.