A NEW chairman has been elected for Richmond and Lower Swaledale Business Association (RLSB).

Marcia McLuckie takes over from Melva Steckles who stood down due to ill-health after three years in office.

Mrs McLuckie, from Richmond, and her husband Dennis, run Yorkshire Country Holidays which they established in 2007. She recently retired as administrator at Kiplin Hall, where she worked for 11 years, to spend more time running their holiday cottage business.

After her election at the association's annual meeting she said: "Melva has done a brilliant job over the last three years. I look forward to taking over her role and working alongside the newly elected committee.

"There was a great deal of enthusiasm for the Business Association at last week’s meeting, which I found very encouraging. We shall be meeting again on March 1 when new members are welcome to come along and find out what the Association can offer them."

The meeting also elected Eileen Halliday, manager at the Station, as deputy chairman; Ian Crisop, treasurer; Gillian Howells, secretary; and Dennis Graves in charge of membership.

For more information about the association email marcia@yorkshirecountryholidays.co.uk , call 01748 825525, or attend the next meeting in the chairman's room, Richmond Station, on Wednesday, March 1, at 6pm.