The Liberal Democrats have said they are "prepared to lead" at Warwickshire County Council as the local authority decides its new leader this week.

Warwickshire County Council (WCC) is now without a majority party after the Conservatives lost some 33 seats at this month's local elections.

The Lib Dems are now the second biggest party at the council, with Reform the largest with 22 seats - crucially seven short of a majority.

The former says it will offer its "decades of experience on councils in Warwickshire" and is "prepared to lead when key votes are taken at the county council's AGM on 16 May".

The annual general meeting will be voting on who will be chair and deputy chair of the council for the next 12 months.

The meeting will also elect a leader of the council who will then appoint cabinet members who take the key strategic decisions.

"Within our group we have more than 200 years of know-how gained through serving local residents on councils in Warwickshire, as well a huge amount of business, community and public sector experience," said Lib Dem group leader Cllr Jerry Roodhouse.

"This is far more than any other group on the council.

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"Given all the challenges that the new council is inheriting from the previous Conservative administration, it would be irresponsible of us not to offer our experience and skills for the key posts to be elected at the AGM.

"Local government reorganisation will also require wise heads."

This week the Reform UK group announced Rob Howard, councillor for Attleborough, is its new group leader.

Meanwhile Cllr Adrian Warwick has been announced as the new Conservative group leader after Izzi Seccombe lost her seat at the start of the month.

"At this month's elections the Conservatives lost 33 councillors, so the county council is in no overall control," Cllr Roodhouse continued.

"If our nominations are rejected, we shall of course work to hold the new administration to account to ensure that all residents in Warwickshire have an equal opportunity to develop and to prosper in an environmentally sustainable and inclusive way, so that people feel safe and cared for."