A NEW community beat manager has been appointed for Hoddlesden and Belthorn.

PC Roger Morris has joined the neighbourhood policing team for Darwen.

He will be working alongside a team of 17 other officers, based in Darwen town centre.PC Morris will be responsible for the east rural area of Darwen, and will be concentrating on Hoddlesden and Belthorn.

Residents can meet PC Morris at a Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting at the Dog Inn, Belthorn, on Monday at 8pm.

PC Morris joined Lancashire Constabulary more than eight years ago and was part of the police response team in Darwen before accepting this post. Neighbourhood policing team sergeant John Cisco said: "He is a welcome addition to an expanding team.

"We are looking forward to PC Morris assisting us to prevent crime and tackle anti-social behaviour in Darwen.

To find out when the next PACT meeting is in your area call 01254 222135.