A NEW chief executive with a background in criminal law has been appointed to Lancashire Police Authority.

Miranda Carruthers-Watt will take over from Brian Aldred in late March.

The married mother-of-two is director for modernising services at the North West Centre of Excellence, based at Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council.

She qualified as a solicitor in private practice in Blackburn in 1987 and worked in private criminal and family law in Blackburn and Accrington.

She has worked in local government in the North of England since 1989 and led a number of key initiatives including the establishment of a Community Legal Service partnership in Blackburn with Darwen.

Ms Carruthers-Watt said: "The opportunity to help shape policing priorities for the county is very exciting and my aim is to ensure everyone in Lancashire has a real say in what those priorities should be."

Chairman of the Police Authority, Malcolm Doherty said: "Miranda was an outstanding candidate in a very strong field.

"Her experience will bring a lot to the authority and I am delighted that she has accepted the position."