The new chairman of the Vale of White Horse District Council, Julie Mayhew-Archer, has pledged to step up the tempo in the fight to save hospitals in Abingdon and Wantage.

Mrs Mayhew-Archer, from Abingdon was elected chairman at the council's annual meeting, succeeding Terry Fraser from Wantage.

The new vice-chairman is Jenny Hannaby, four times former mayor of Wantage.

Mrs Mayhew-Archer, who is also an Abingdon town councillor and former county council member, said: "I expect a busy but very interesting two years ahead.

"One of the big issues is the drive to retain the hospitals in Abingdon and Wantage as part of the wider campaign to defend community hospitals in the other towns in south Oxford- shire.

"Our hospitals are under threat. There is already a vigorous campaign gaining momentum and I want to step up the tempo.

"We hear about the dangers of global warming and the need to use our cars less, but if the Vale loses its hospitals it will force people to use their cars more.

"It's all very well saying people can use public transport but rural bus services are not that frequent and it will be difficult to get to Wallingford if that is chosen as the main hospital for the area."

Mrs Mayhew-Archer said she would also focus on the achievements of the council and the people of the Vale in the arts, sport and voluntary work.

The new chairman was elected to the Vale council three years ago as a Liberal Democrat for the Abbey and Barton ward and has been a town councillor for the same ward since 1991.

Mrs Mayhew-Archer was a county councillor for eight years. Lesley Legge, a friend and fellow Abingdon town councillor, is the chairman of the county council.

Mrs Mayhew-Archer is married to TV and radio comedy scriptwriter Paul, co-writer of the Vicar of Dibley television series. The couple met at an amateur drama production at Bexhill-on-Sea.

Mrs Mayhew-Archer studied English and Drama and Birmingham University. She gained her post graduate certificate in education at Oxford and taught at Our Lady's Convent School, Abingdon and Witney College and the John Mason School.