A GROUP which advises a North-East environmental watchdog has appointed seven members.

The appointees will be taking up their three-year terms on the Regional Environment Protection Advisory Committee (Repac) for the North-East region.

The new members include: Councillor David Ashton, from Escrick, near York; Councillor Martin Brumby, from York; Councillor Ian Galbraith, from Almondbury, near Sunderland; and Malcolm Mundy, director of waste operations for HJ Banks, Chesterfield.

Councillor Stephen Harker, from Darlington, has been re-appointed.

The committee of 21 members meets four times a year to advise the agency on its work.