THE Liberal Democrat woman set to take over the hot seat at Somerset County Council has been advised not to get too comfortable.

Cathy Bakewell is expected to move into the leader's office at County Hall after Chris Clarke's decision to retire after eight years.

The full council -- 29 LibDems, 24 Tories and five Labour -- will be asked to install Mrs Bakewell in the top job on Wednesday, June 27 with Claire Gordon as deputy.

Mrs Bakewell, of Glastonbury, was office manager to Paddy Ashdown for 11 years before working for him at Westminster for eight months.She was persuaded to stand by colleagues when Mr Clarke announced his decision a year ago to stand down.

See the County Gazette (Friday, June 22) for full picture story.