A HIGH-FLYING civil servant has been appointed to a key position as head of the region's largest local authority.

Mark Lloyd will become one of the country's youngest chief executives of a large authority when he takes over as chief executive of Durham County Council in June.

The 37-year-old, currently the authority's deputy chief executive, will succeed Kingsley Smith when he retires later this year from the council's top job after 17 years.

Shropshire-born Mr Lloyd, who lives in Sedgefield, was appointed to the position yesterday, subject to confirmation by the full council.

He joined Durham County Council in July 2000 as director of economic development and planning, and managing director of the County Durham Development Company.

He was appointed deputy chief executive in 2003, with special responsibility for policy and strategy.

Mr Lloyd, chairman of the County Durham Youth Engagement Service and a member of the University of Durham's governing council, is a former chief executive both of the Powys Training and Enterprise Council and County Durham TEC.

Mr Smith said: "Mark Lloyd has proved himself an outstanding chief officer for the county council and was an equally outstanding candidate as my successor.

"He is absolutely committed to making County Durham the best place in which to live, work, invest and raise a family and his appointment will afford valuable continuity to the work of the county council.

"I look forward to working closely with Mark over the next few months before I retire and I am sure that he will prove to be an outstanding chief executive."