Michael Clarke will continue as a councillor, but has handed over the leader's job to his colleague John Gilding.

Today Coun Gilding, 67, who represents the Sitwell ward, said the change in leadership was part of a move by the Tories to take advantage of the party's surge in the opinion polls.

He also revealed that renegade councillor Tony Mannion, who left the party to become an Independent, has rejoined the Tories.

Coun Gilding denied there had been a fallout in the party locally and said that Coun Clarke had simply decided to step down as leader of the Tory group.

Conservatives scored a resounding success in the local elections on May 1, when they snatched three Labour-held wards and took their total of seats to 10.

Their biggest success came in Wickersley, where Martin Parker toppled cabinet member for neighbourhoods, Sue Ellis. Mr Parker now becomes the Tory group's deputy leader.

Another major scalp was that of veteran Labour member Robin Stonebridge, who lost his Anston and Woodsetts seat to Darren Hughes.

Meanwhile, true blue Tom Fenoughty, 21, became Rotherham's youngest councillor by winning the Wales seat from Labour's David Barker.

Coun Gilding told The Star: "Time moved on and Michael decided it was simply time to stand down. The party is on a roll at the moment and we now plan to take advantage of it.

"There is a momentum nationally and we now intend making our voice heard in Rotherham. We have several new faces and we are glad to have Tony Mannion back in the fold. There is no doubt we have dealt Labour a massive blow.

"We have put in a lot of hard work and we now intend to become even more pro-active."

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