IAN Carr will lead the Conservative party into the battle for Test Valley.

The current borough council leader was readopted as the party’s chief this week, despite rumours of a challenge to his leadership.

Cllr Carr was unopposed by his fellow Conservative members and will now lead his team into the borough council elections in May next year.

Councillor Phil North, chairman of the Test Valley Borough Council Conservative Group, said: “Cllr Carr has tremendous experience in leading the council which continues to deliver efficient and effective services with one of the lowest council tax rates in the country.

“In Andover Cllr Carr has overseen the delivery of the Lights Theatre, the cinema and Asda complex, the new skate park, the increase in grants to our voluntary and community organisations, improvements to our business parks and the Andover Town Centre Summit, which is making a significant contribution to rejuvenating the high street and increasing footfall.”