NORTH Yorkshire County Council is to have a change of chief executive.

John Marsden, 55, will take the reins at the council after the local elections in May.

His appointment is expected to be formally approved later this month and he will replace Jeremy Walker, who is leaving the authority after six years.

Mr Marsden is currently chief executive of North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council, where he has been since 2002.

During his time as chief executive there, North Tyneside was named as one of the fastest improving councils in the country by the Audit Commission's comprehensive performance assessment.

Mr Marsden, who was also director of social services in Sunderland for ten years, said: "I'm delighted to be joining North Yorkshire, a county council with a strong reputation for high quality services and value for money."

Council leader John Weighell said: "John Marsden will be a worthy successor to Jeremy Walker, who has served the council very ably since 1999.

"I'm very pleased with the appointment and look forward to working with Mr Marsden as we seek to improve services."