The new leader of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has now been officially confirmed following a vote taken at a meeting this evening (Wednesday 4th May).

The current leader, Cllr Sybil Ralphs, has now been removed, with Cllr Paul Roberts being elected as the new leader.

A vote was taken, with 34 councillors voting in favour of electing Cllr Roberts and the new leader, and 18 councillors voting in favour of keeping Cllr Ralphs as leader.

Applause broke out around the council chamber after the vote to elect Cllr Roberts was passed. A five-minute recess of the meeting was then taken.

Also following the vote, Cllr Ralphs was consoled by colleagues and received a bouquet of flowers.

We reported recently how the Staffordshire Moorlands Conservatives group held a vote at its AGM on Thursday 14th April, during which Cllr Ralphs lost a leadership challenge.

Cllr Ralphs held the position of leader of the Conservative group for 15 years - since 2007.

It's understood the Conservative group felt it needed fresh leadership due to Cllr Ralphs' waning of popularity with local residents.

Meanwhile, Cllr Roberts said it was time for a "new direction" and promised to "listen more than we speak and to consult residents more widely on decisions in the future".

Cllr Ralphs has not responded to requests for comment.

As the vote has only passed in the last few minutes, this is a breaking story, but we will be sure to bring you the full story as soon as we can.