Woman leader for actors' union

Members of performers' union Equity have elected Christine Payne as their general secretary - the first time in the union's 75-year history that it has been led by a woman.

Payne received 3,815 votes, twice as many as the second-placed candidate, Lorne Boswell.

She was previously the 35,600-strong union's assistant general secretary for theatre and variety, and said the union "must continue to concentrate and build on its core activity - negotiating the best possible contracts."

Equity vote

Christine Payne 3,815

Lorne Boswell 1,905

Clive Hurst 541

Turnout 16.9%