A LOCAL authority has confirmed the appointment of the only applicant for its £200,000-a-year plus top job.

Lancashire County Council has appointed Angie Ridgwell as its new chief executive and director of resources after nine months as temporary holder of the post.

He interim apppointment in January following a controversial restructuring of the top management team which Labour leader Cllr Azhar Ali had been devised by the authority's Tory leader Cllr Geoff Driver to force the previous chief executive Jo Turton and three other senior staff out of their jobs.

The Nelson East representative said his group would abstain as they fundamentally opposed the reorganisation which created the new post and would not 'vote blindly' for an appointment where key details had been kept secret.

Pendle Rural's Cllr David Whipp said his Liberal Democrat leader group would also abstain as the whole recruitment process had been 'flawed.

Cllr Geoff Driver, county council leader, said: "I welcome Angie's appointment to this very important role. Since her arrival Angie has had a major impact on the council and I now look forward to working with her on a permanent basis."

Ms Ridgwell said: "I am delighted."