VETERAN former councillor Peter Phillips has handed over the baton as chairman of the Liberal Democrats in south Shropshire.

He founded the group 40 years ago in 1973 and is now stepping down in favour of Charlotte Barnes who is the current representative for Bishops Castle on Shropshire Council.

The change comes just weeks after the local Liberal Democrats announced that they had recruited their 100th member.

"Forty years is a long time and I am delighted that we have someone as fantastic as Charlotte to take the baton," said Peter Phillips.