A VETERAN North Ayrshire councillor has stepped down from his role as leader of the local authority's Conservative group.

Tom Marshall announced his decision at the group's annual general meeting on Sunday, June 2.

Saltcoats and Stevenston councillor Cameron Inglis, who has been deputy leader for the last year, was elected as leader and Councillor Matthew McLean (Irvine South) was appointed deputy leader.

Councillor Marshall said: "I have been an elected councillor for 22 years and during last 12 years the group, under my leadership, grown to its present nine members.

"The time had come to consider a managed succession of the leadership team and to encourage a new generation to step up to the position. 

"I am fully supportive of the new leadership tam as they settle into the positions and I have every confidence that they will offer excellent service to both the council and our electorate over the next year. "

Councillor Marshall led his group to become the official opposition to the ruling SNP group at the last council elections, leaving Labour in third place.

However the dynamic shifted following the death of Kilwinning Conservative councillor John Glover earlier this year.

Labour's win in the resulting by-election saw them confirmed as the second-biggest party in the council chamber.