A NEW director of children's services has been appointed by Darlington Borough Council.

Margaret Asquith, the council's former social services director, has taken up the role.

The position was created after a reorganisation at the town hall, which has led to the scrapping of the education and social services departments.

The new department will focus on children's welfare and will begin operating next April.

All local councils have been ordered to create children's services departments following Lord Laming's report two years ago into the death of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie, in London.

The new departments are designed to remove the problems caused when various agencies have responsibility for services for children.

Mrs Asquith said: "I am delighted to become the new director. We have a great team here in Darlington and I believe the new department will make a huge impact.

"The creation of a children's services department offers us an outstanding opportunity to reshape and refocus our work to deliver improved services for children."