CHARLTONS Estate Agents hopes to put itself head and shoulders above the competition with the appointment of Hillary Ibbotson.

Mrs Ibbotson is Charltons latest addition to its sales team in Richmond, NorthYorkshire.

In her new role she will be responsible for arranging and conducting viewings for Charltons properties in the Richmond area and Swaledale, as well as providing extra cover in the sales office.

Mrs Ibbotson joins Charltons after spells as secretary for the British Ambassador at the Foreign Office and as head of administration at Richmond School sixth form for 24 years.

She was a member of Richmond Town Council for 18 years and was mayor between 1989 and 1990. She retired from full-time employment last year.

Mike Charlton, principal of Charltons Estate Agents, first met Mrs Ibbotson when she bought one of the apartments at the St Anne's development in Richmond. She was one of the first buyers and one of Charltons' most successful sales people, persuading her friends to buy other apartments, before she had been offered a job.

Mr Charlton said: "Hillary is a fantastic asset to the team. She has an amazing knowledge of the area and is very well known to people locally. Her enthusiasm and energy will really strengthen the team at Richmond."