The Largs Viking Festival has 'entered a new era' after Elisabethe Marshall resigned as chair of its committee and was replaced by fellow local councillor Alex Gallagher.

He believes that the move represents an opportunity to take the annual event forward, as committee members seek to strengthen local and international links.

Labour"s Mr Gallagher told the "News" that Conservative Mrs Marshall had resigned after 'various different controversies', adding that other committee members had also resigned, but new members would be imminently joining.

He said: 'Elisabethe directed ably for 10 years but she had done enough. I think 10 years is enough for anyone.' The new chairman thanked Mrs Marshall and the retiring committee members for their efforts over the past years and pledged to take the festival onto greater successes.

He said: 'The 2008 festival was an improvement on previous years, and the new committee is determined to build on that success.' Full story in this week's Largs and Millport Weekly News.