A TRADE union boss is to become the head of communications at Middlesbrough Council with a salary of £50,000.

Senior regional officer with the Transport and General Workers' Union, Mike Brider, will be paid the same as Mayor Ray Mallon.

Mr Brider is also the political officer in the North-East for the union, whose members include Tony Blair, and is vice chairman of the Regional Labour Party.

His new role involves improving communications among the council's 7,000 staff.

He said: "Good communication is vital to every part of the council's mission, whether raising standards in schools, improving the environment or helping bring investment to the town and the Tees Valley.

"I know, too, that the council and the mayor believe that better communications with the workforce are the foundation for an effective organisation.

"A key part of my job will be to develop ways in which everyone who works for Middlesbrough can share in its successes."

Mr Brider is a board member of the Learning and Skills Council, Tees Valley Partnership, the Tees Valley Development Company and a member of the Trade Union Council executive.