A DISTRICT council is due to recruit a new chief executive in 2004, following the departure of its current head.

Mick Waterson has left Chester-le-Street District Council and Bernadette Marjoram has been appointed as interim chief executive in his place.

Ms Marjoram was also appointed interim director of housing in May this year, following her recommendation by the council's housing advisory board.

The advisory board was set up at the request of Government Housing Minister Tony McNulty, after the housing department was referred to the Government, following two damning reports from the Audit Commission in 18 months.

Ms Marjoram is also the director of the British Urban Regeneration Association and has worked in local government for 25 years.

At the council's full meeting earlier this month, leader of the council, Linda Ebbatson, thanked Mr Waterson for his service to the district council.

She said: "I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Mr Waterson's contribution to the council over his many years of service and I know the council will support me when, on behalf of everyone, we wish him well for the future."

In September, the council announced Mr Waterson was on sick leave. Recruitment to fill the full-time position is expected to begin soon.