LANCASHIRE County Council today announced the appointment of a new £114,000 a year plus new Education and Children’s Services boss.

Edwina Grant joins the authority as an executive director on December 17.

It supports schools and young people in 12 boroughs including Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

She is currently national children’s services adviser for the Local Government Association.

Previously she chaired Solihull Metropolitan Council's Local Safeguarding Children Board, was deputy chief executive at Central Bedfordshire Council and then director of children’s services at Nottingham City Council.

Ms Grant said: “I am delighted to be joining Lancashire County Council in this key position. I know that children and families are at the very heart of what the council does."

Ms Grant takes over the role from John Readman, who has been in the post on an interim basis since January.