THE SNP group on West Dunbartonshire Council has elected a new leader after the party lost its grip on power at the local government elections.

Councillor Karen Conaghan has been chosen as the leader of the group after Jonathan McColl announced his decision to step down following the May 5 poll.

Cllr Conaghan's deputy will be first-time councillor Gordon Scanlan.

Labour seized power after all 12 of its candidates were elected across the area, with the SNP's representation dropping from 10 seats to nine.

Cllr McColl, who himself nominated Cllr Conaghan, described his colleague as "a passionate councillor, and someone who will be a great local leader for the SNP".

He said: "Karen will have great support from Gordon, who despite being new, already has a firm grasp of the role of a councillor."

Cllr Conaghan - who served as depute provost and education convener in the SNP-led administration before the election - paid tribute to Cllr McColl, saying he had given a lot of himself over the past 10 years.

She said she was grateful to know he would be there as a key member of the group.

She added: "We have new younger councillors in Gordon Scanlan, Sophie Traynor and Lauren Oxley, who despite their youth bring a variety of experience and a wealth of new ideas.

"I am also looking forward to working with Chris Pollock, whom I was especially pleased to see elected alongside me in the Dumbarton ward.

"There's a good balance with returning councillors Ian Dickson and Diane Docherty, and Jim McElhill back again.

"I'm keen to get on with the job of leading this new SNP group, who will bring scrutiny and challenge to their role and work hard for the people of West Dunbartonshire."

New deputy leader Cllr Scanlan revealed he was delighted on his appintment.

He said: "It’s a privilege to be named deputy leader of West Dunbartonshire Council’s new SNP group. I look forward to supporting Cllr Karen Conaghan as leader and have no doubt that her experience and leadership will be an asset to the group.

"In my role as Deputy Leader, I will contribute to holding the new Labour administration firmly to account on their unrealistic promises made during the campaign which seem at odds with the current financial climate.

"The cost of living crisis currently doing so much damage to our community is too important to play politics with and it is also crucial that we work cross-party to ease the burden on residents where possible.”

The new council meets for the first time on Wednesday, May 18 when Labour group leader Martin Rooney is expected to be voted in as the authority's leader.