CHAIRMANSHIP of the Ledbury branch of Amnesty International is to be passed from member to member in the wake of the death of founder Jim Absolom.

The first person to take over the post left vacant by Mr Absolom's death last month will be Anne Roberts.

Spokesman Roger Hughes said fears the group might disband following the loss of its chairman had proved unfounded.

At its last meeting, it was agreed that the post of chairman should be rotated around the members, with each one taking charge of a few meetings at a time.

"We're a very democratic group," Mr Hughes said, "So hopefully we will be able to do it OK."

He added that the group was keen to bring new members on board, and all are welcome to the group's next meeting on March 17 at 7.30pm at the Leadon Bank Day Centre.