CONSERVATIVES have selected a former soldier to lead them on Kirklees Council.

Clr Jim Dodds of Denby Dale was elected unopposed yesterday (Wednesday) to head the 22-strong opposition group.

The Upper Cumberworth man, who served in the Army for 35 years, said: “I feel it’s a great honour to be asked to lead the Conservative group on Kirklees and I will strive to do my best.”

Clr Dodds replaces Clr Robert Light, who resigned earlier this week after eight years as head of the Tory group. Clr Light was council leader from 2006 until his party was ousted from power last month.

Clr Dodds paid tribute to his predecessor yesterday.

He said: “We did a lot of good things in the two-and-a-half years Robert led the council including bringing in the free insulation scheme Warmzone and introducing a council tax discount for pensioners.

“After eight years, he felt he had taken things as far as they could go and wanted to spend more time with his family.”

Clr Dodds pledged to oppose the Labour/Lib Dem coalition which runs Kirklees.

He said: “We’ll continue to be an effective opposition to the administration and monitor what they do on issues like schools, vulnerable children and roads.”

Clr Dodds, 61, lives in Upper Cumberworth with his wife Carol.

The couple have two children and two grandchildren.

He joined the Army aged 15 in 1962 and spent 35 years in the military, rising to the rank of major.