Councillor Tim Pollard has been elected as leader of Croydon Conservatives.

He was chosen on Saturday in a vote triggered by predecessor Mike Fisher's resignation over a secret £10,000 pay rise.

Coun Pollard, previously deputy leader, had been widely expected to succeed Coun Fisher, who had led the group for nine years.

Members chose Sara Bashford as new deputy leader, alongside existing deputy Dudley Mead.

Coun Pollard said: "It is clearly a great honour to be elected by your peers to such a role, particularly in following on from a colleague who led the group to two local election victories, serving as leader of the council for eight years.

"Under Mike's leadership the Conservative council achieved great things for Croydon, including the landing of Westfield and Hammerson to redevlop the town centre, the steady increase in education results, the steady reduction in joblessness and many other good things."

Coun Fisher resigned as Croydon Conservatives leader after it emerged he secretly awarded himself an 18 per cent pay rise last year, boosting his salary from £53,000 to £62,352 during a financial year in which council staff received a one per cent increase.

He took a further £1,000 rise in May.

The £10,000 increase was not made public until after the council election, in which Labour snatched back control of the council after eight years in opposition.

Coun Pollard said: "We have a long road ahead to win control of the council back in 2018, and I look forward to working with deputy leaders Dudley Mead and Sara Bashford to provide constructive opposition where that is needed and to work with the new administration where we believe it is acting in the best interests of the town."

Coun Bashford said: "I will remain the Conservatives' lead on the scrutiny committees, and am looking forward to working positively with Labour when  it is in the interests of the town to do so and being more critical where we see them making mistakes".

Coun Mead said "I have enjoyed working with Tim over the six years we have been co-deputy-leaders and I know we will continue to work well together now he has taken the group leader role.

"Sara and I also work extremely well together in Selsdon and Ballards ward, and I am looking forward to the fresh perspectives she will bring to the leadership team."