The leader of Inverclyde Council's Conservative group has handed over the reins of party power after more than 17 years.

Councillor David Wilson is stepping aside to let his colleague Graeme Brooks lead the party in Inverclyde.

Councillor Wilson, who represents Inverclyde East (Ward 1), told the Tele that the pair had agreed following the 2022 local government election that he would lead the group for two and a half years, and would then hand over to his colleague for the rest of the council term, due to last until the spring of 2027.

The duo have been the only two Conservative councillors in Inverclyde since 2017, when Cllr Brooks was first elected to represent Inverclyde North.

Councillor Wilson had been the party's sole representative in the area for 10 years before that.

Councillor Wilson said: "I'm delighted. I am sure that Graeme will do a good job and look forward to the next two and a half years.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed being group leader and contributing over the years to many key projects under the auspices of the council, my role in the creation of the shared campus, Parklea and the Cargill Community Centre.

"I have been the leader of the group for 17 and a half years. I feel I have done my bit.

"It will be good for Graeme to lead us into the next council elections in 2027."

Councillor Wilson, who is currently the chair of the local police and scrutiny panel and audit committee, was first elected in May 2007 and has held many positions since then, including 15 years as convener of the planning committee and 10 as depute provost.

He is also the vice-chair of the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).

Councillor Brooks will replace Councillor Wilson on the policy and resources committee.

The veteran councillor who is 78, remained tight-lipped whether he would stand again at the next election in two-and-a-half years' time.

He said: "The decision has not been made on whether I will stand. I am the same age as Donald Trump and I am younger than Joe Biden."

He added that it has been a smooth transition and very amicable and said: "Graeme will be an excellent leader. I've been training him for the last seven and a half years, so he should be good."

He said that it would be very much business as usual and added: "We will continue to support the minority Labour administration on an issue-by-issue basis."