A RETIRED senior policeman has been appointed to head the board of Wear Valley and Teesdale's primary care trust.

Former chief superintendent Paul Taylor, left, took over as the £17,164-a-year chairman of the Durham Dales trust at the beginning of the month.

He has been a non-executive director since the trust was formed in April 2002 and succeeds Anne Beeton in the top post.

A police officer for 32 years, Mr Taylor worked in forces in England and overseas and was recognised as an expert in police training in England and Wales.

He also spent five years seconded to the Home Office as head of training for six police centres in the North.

As well as his interest in health services, he chairs the County Durham Lifelong Learning Partnership and has been chairman of the trust's audit committee.

Mr Taylor said: "I am delighted to be invited to chair an excellent team determined to improve health services for the people of the Durham Dales.

"Having been personally and professionally involved in healthcare in my community, I am totally committed to improving the standards where possible."