THE next deputy leader of Bolton Council will be chosen tonight.

Labour councillors will vote at a meeting this evening to elect a new deputy group leader to serve under Cllr Linda Thomas.

Cllr Thomas had served as deputy leader for 11 years before she was elected to succeed Cliff Morris as leader.

The frontrunners for the deputy role are thought to be Cllrs Nick Peel and Ebrahim Adia — who currently occupy the other two most senior positions within the ruling council group.

Cllr Peel is the council’s executive cabinet member for environmental services and has represented Tonge with The Haulgh since 2000.

Cllr Adia, who represents Rumworth, is the executive cabinet member for regeneration and resources and is also provost at the University of Central Lancashire’s Burnley campus.

After being chosen to succeed Cllr Morris last month, Cllr Thomas will take up her duties as leader from Monday. It was announced in November that Cllr Morris would be stepping down as leader after 11 years, following calls to resign from members of his own party and key union figures.