THE new chairman of Lancashire County Council is Councillor Janice Hanson, who represents the Morecambe West division.

A county councillor since 2005, Janice is particularly keen to highlight the important role of volunteers and the value of giving something back to the community.

She said: "I know from experience how important volunteering is.

"Volunteers work incredibly hard to help people and groups, for the benefit of people in Lancashire.

"I particularly want to raise awareness of the superb work volunteers do for the various 'friends' groups we have in Lancashire."

Janice lives in Morecambe with her husband, John. She has one son, one stepdaughter and two grandchildren.

The new vice-chairman will be Terry Aldridge, who represents Skelmersdale Central. He has been a member of the county council since 2005.