TOWN council chairman David Wright has spoken of the "most challenging" times ahead guiding everyone through the coronavirus crisis after taking on running local government in Atherstone and North Warwickshire in tandem.

The Atherstone accountant found himself being appointed to a second civic headship just hours before last night's dramatic broadcast by Boris Johnson told the nation to "stay at home" in a virtual lockdown to slow the spread of Covid-19

The 51-year-old is the new leader of North Warwickshire Borough Council after current incumbent David Humphreys stepped down for "personal reasons".

Councillor Wright takes the helm of a local authority being forced to meet "virtually" as all meetings have been cancelled inside the civic suite in South Street, Atherstone.

Newton Regis and Warton Councillor Humphreys has been at the helm of the borough council for nearly five years.

"He has done a wonderful job," acknowledged Cllr Wright.

"It is a great honour to lead North Warwickshire even though it is not the way I would have wished to take over," he told Nub News.

"I am taking over as leader at the most challenging time in living memory.

"As the Prime Minister said last night this is the most serious situation any of us have faced since World War Two.

"But I hope to be able to lead the borough through this in the best possible way.

"I am up for the challenge of doing everything we possibly can to help the residents and businesses of North Warwickshire.

"The Government is putting its support into businesses which will, in turn, help the residents."

The Fillongley-born councillor explained that he will continue to run the town council in tandem with the borough authority until "hopefully" he can hand the Atherstone civic role over to current deputy mayor, Councillor Denise Clews, in May.

"However, I accept that none of us know what is going to happen in these difficult times," he added.