The council has elected Conservative Mrs Waring as its new chairman, having only been elected to the council in May 2007 and with no previous experience of being a councillor.

She told the Standard that it had been quite a sudden elevation but she is following in the footsteps of her father, Keith Wallington, a former Conservative chairman of the council.

She succeeds Coun Ron Oxby. The new vice-chairman is Coun Frederick Ambridge, member for Billinghay, Martin and North Kyme, who was previously chairman in 2004-2005.

Mrs Waring said: "I am very happy to be serving the people of North Kesteven and am looking forward to the next 12 months with real enthusiasm.

"It is a great honour to follow in the footsteps of Coun Oxby, who did a wonderful job last year, and I hope to promote the council and my chosen charities to the best of my ability."

She became Conservative member for Leasingham and Rauceby having stood for election when Euan Robertson decided to retire from the position. She had been his agent for many years.

Mrs Waring and her husband John live in Leasingham, where they are semi-retired but run a small business selling disposable products to the catering industry.

She was born in South Wales and has lived in Lincolnshire since the age of 13.

In addition to being a district councillor, Mrs Waring also represents North Kesteven on the South Lincolnshire Blind Society's board of trustees.

She will announce her two chairman's charities at the next council meeting and hopes to hold a series of events throughout the year to raise money for them.

l Coun Marion Brighton was re-elected leader of the council, and Coun Dennis Roberts was re-elected peputy leader.

The four other executive board members are Marjorie Duncan, Mike Gallagher, Geoff Hazelwood and Stewart Ogden.