A new chairman from a Shepton Mallet business has taken over at the helm of Somerset Chamber of Commerce's board and will be joined by a host of new faces, representing businesses from across the county.

Businesswoman Helen Lacey, managing director of Red Berry Recruitment which has offices in Shepton Mallet and Yeovil, took over the chairmanship from outgoing chairman Greg Saunders, director of Stanhurst Consulting in Taunton, at Somerset Chamber's annual meeting.

The meeting, which was held at Somerset County Cricket Club, was attended by around 40 members who were given an update on the work of the chamber over the last 12 months.

They were also asked to vote for new board members and Emma Warren, managing director of Elite Staffing Solutions, Taunton; Jerome Timbrell, director of C2 Safety, Highbridge; and Lizzie Ginbey, director of Teapot Creative, Hambridge, were all appointed.

The board also co-opted two affiliate members to represent local town chambers - Matt Ruddle, of Matt Ruddle Consulting to represent Bridgwater Chamber, and David Woan, the president of Yeovil Chamber.

Ms Lacey said she was looking forward to the year ahead and thanked Mr Saunders for his support and hard work.

She also thanked outgoing board members, including Matt Tudor, of Bridgwater and Taunton College; Nigel Pearce, of Taunton Chamber; and Debbie Morris, of Concilium HR.

Mr Saunders had served as chairman since November 2016 just after the EU referendum. At the time of his appointment he said he was looking forward to seeing how businesses developed after leaving the EU.

At last Wednesday's annual meeting he said: "Businesses thrive on certainty and continuity - I hope we can get some continuity soon."

He also congratulated local businesses which had been members of Somerset Chamber for ten years - BraunAbility UK, Cooper Associates, Porter Dodson, Positive Wealth Creation, Brook Financial, Character Graphics, Shepton Mallet Chamber of Commerce and Summerfield Developments.

Stephen Henagulph, chief executive of Somerset Chamber, said the chamber had organised 97 events over the last 12 months, which had been held in 14 different towns and attended by 2,717 people.

Mr Henagulph said: "The passion our businesses have here in Somerset never ceases to amaze me and I've thoroughly enjoyed getting out to all corners of the county meeting people and finding out what makes their businesses tick.

"The chamber is here to amplify their views and to lobby on their behalf on a local, regional and national level, and we will continue to work hard to represent them at the highest levels of government through the British Chambers of Commerce."