COLCHESTER Council's Conservative group leader is set to continue in his role.

Dennis Willetts, who represents Lexden and Braiswick ward, was unanimously backed by members at the group's annual general meeting on Monday.

Mr Willetts said he was pleased to have the support of his colleagues and was looking forward to continuing with the post he has held for the last 18 months since Will Quince stepped aside to focus on his General Election campaign.

He said: "I am completely delighted and looking forward to leading the Conservative group for another year.

"We will continue to scrutinise all of the the proposals which come from the administration to make sure they are in the best interests of the borough and of the tax payer.

"We will be pointing out any idiocy they have when as they moved forward in their programme."

The Conservative party hold 22 seats, the most of any individual party, but it is not enough for an overall majority so Colchester Council will continue to be controlled by a rainbow coalition made up of Liberal Democrat, Labour and Highwoods Indepedent councillors.

Mr Willetts said the Conservative group would be appointing a shadow cabinet but are currently deciding whether to match the posts of the coalition exactly or create their own opposition portfolios.