A NEW communications head has been appointed by Burnley Council -- more than 12 months after the Task Force report into the riots recommended it.

Gerry Crookes will take up the post as head of communications on Monday.

The position was created to help the council communicate more effectively with residents.

Mrs Crookes was formerly senior public relations officer for Leeds City Council and editor of the city's civic newspaper.

Her appointment comes after the Task Force said the council should give "urgent attention" to establishing and resourcing a professional corporate communications unit.

A former journalist with more than 20 years' experience, Mrs Crookes was born in Colne and went to Paddock House Grammar School, Oswaldtwistle.

She said: "I have strong personal ties with the area and I am looking forward to meeting some of the exciting challenges ahead."

Deputy leader of the council Andrew Tatchell said: "The council is delighted to have appointed such a talented communications professional to its top team. We have been criticised in the past for not being as good as we should at getting information out to local people and not devoting resources to doing this properly. "Gerry's appointment will help us provide professional leadership to our communications work and lead a small team devoted to giving a better service to the community."