BOLTON Council has elected a new leader following the death of Coun David Greenhalgh.

Cllr Martyn Cox was appointed at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday after a majority of members backed him.

Cllr Cox, 53, was first elected to Bolton Council as a Liberal Democrat in 2003 before stepping down in 2007.

He re-entered politics in 2010 when he was elected Conservative councillor for Westhoughton and Chew Moor.

The father-of- three lives in the Lostock area.

Cllr Hilary Fairclough, who represents Astley Bridge, will become deputy leader of Bolton Council.

Cllr Fairclough proposed the new leader.

She said: “This is a bittersweet moment for me.

“Never in a million years did I think I would be standing here proposing a new leader to replace Cllr David Greenhalgh.

“But this is something we have to do and I can think of no better person than Martyn Cox to take this role.

“Martyn is man man of huge integrity, his love of all things Bolton shines through.

“His work ethic is second to none and I know with Martyn leader of this council we will be in safe hands.

“He is a politician who is willing to work with partners and opposition to get the very best for Bolton, the town we all love.”

Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Roger Hayes, said: “This is a very sad reason to be electing a new leader.

“Theoretically this could be used as an opportunity to change the leadership of the council but it would be morally wrong to attempt to do that.

“Cllr Cox will be leading a Conservative group with just 37 per cent of the popular vote last time and 35 per cent of councillors.

” It does behold you to follow the example that has been set before and try and do this through agreement and consensus.

“We expect you, when necessary, to disagree with government policy.”

No Labour members spoke during the leadership election debate.

Following local elections in May, the Conservatives, who are the largest party on Bolton Council, formed an administration after signing an agreement with independents from Farnworth and Kearsley First, Horwich and Blackrod First Independents and UKIP.

Those party groups backed Coun Cox for leader, while Labour councillors voted against and Liberal Democrats abstained.

Coun Cox, said: “I’d like to thank councillors for their confidence in me.

“It goes without saying these are the saddest of circumstances to become leader not only because David was a colleague but he was also a great friend of mine.”

The current make-up of the council is currently Conservative 20, Labour 18, Independent six, Liberal Democrat five, Farnworth and Kearsley First five, Horwich and Blackrod First three, One Kearsley one and UKIP one.

The vacant seat for Bromley Cross ward caused by Coun Greenhalgh’s death will be filled with a by-election set to be held in due course.