A NEW treasurer has been appointed by Durham County Council.

Stuart Crowe, 52, of Durham City, has taken the job following the retirement of John Kirkby.

Mr Crowe, married with two children and educated at Benfieldside Secondary School in Consett, joined the council in 1968 as a trainee accountant.

He became deputy treasurer in 1989.

Mr Kirkby, who was treasurer and deputy chief executive, retired at the end of May.

He joined the council in 1986.

Three new deputy chief executives have been appointed.

They are Mark Lloyd, director of economic development and planning, Andrew North, director of corporate and legal services, and Chris Tunstall, director of environment and technical services