THE organisation which will take over the running of council housing in Hartlepool has appointed a chief executive.

Cath Purdy, Hartlepool Borough Council's chief tenants' services officer, was appointed by the board of management for Housing Hartlepool.

Mrs Purdy has worked for the council for 14 years and has been the lead officer responsible for housing services and the stock transfer proposals for the past 18 months.

She said: "Housing Hartlepool has been given a mandate from tenants and the opportunity to make a real and long-lasting improvement to the town's homes and estates."

It is a not-for-profit, housing organisation set up by the council to acquire and manage their 7,900 houses.

Housing Hartlepool will invest more than £99m in the homes during the first six years and also deliver service improvements which tenants have prioritised during recent consultation.

Mrs Purdy will take up her new post in March, when the transfer takes place.

In the meantime she will be seconded to Housing Hartlepool to help establish the organisation.