ONE of East Lancashire's most important NHS jobs has been permanently filled - for the first time in two years.

Judith Holbrey has been appointed the chief executive of Blackburn with Darwen NHS Primary Care Trust.

It brings to an end two years of delays which has seen the PCT's finance director Paul Hinnigan fill in the post.

The last permanent chief executive, Vivien Aspey, went off sick in December 2004 and left the following August.

But the authority was told by the Government it couldn't appoint a new boss until a nationwide shake-up of PCTs was completed.

This finally happened on October 1 - giving bosses the all clear to appoint a new chief executive.

The PCT is at the centre of all NHS services in the borough as it agrees what services hospitals should carry out and organises community services like GP surgeries.

Mrs Holbrey, from Chorley, was previously chief executive of the 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust covering Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Warrington, Wigan and Leigh and South Huddersfield Primary Care NHS Trust.

She has worked in the NHS for over 25 years in nursing, midwifery and health visiting and has held director posts in children's and elderly care.

Nick Kennedy, chairman of the PCT, said: "I am absolutely delighted to say that Judith Holbrey has accepted the position of Chief Executive of the PCT.

"I'm confident that Judith has the right skills and experience to take the PCT forward, tackling the challenges ahead, and building on the PCT's successful recent record to make a real difference in improving health and healthcare for the people of Blackburn with Darwen."

He added: "The board would like to express its appreciation of the magnificent work done by everyone in the interim management team led by Paul Hinnigan over the past two years."