FORMER geography teacher Jenny Lewis has been selected to become the new director of education for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

Mrs Lewis, currently senior assistant director for education with Stockton Borough Council, was chosen from a seven-strong shortlist to succeed Patrick Scott, who has moved to become Director of Education at City of York Council.

Councillor Ian Jeffery, lead member for lifelong learning and leisure with Redcar and Cleveland, said: "We're delighted to appoint a very capable candidate from a strong shortlist.

Mrs Lewis, 46, gained a BA Honours degree in geography from Cambridge University, and spent nine years in the classroom before moving into local government administration.

She has been in her present job since 1999, promoted to the post from the authority's principal education officer. She was previously the former Cleveland County Council's assistant education officer for children with special educational needs.

She said: "I am looking forward to continuing the tradition of strong partnership working between schools and the LEA and maintaining high standards of education which are already such a strong feature of the borough."

Mrs Lewis is due to start her new job in the New Year.