AN accountant with more than 20 years' experience has been appointed as director of finance and corporate affairs for the Darlington Primary Care Trust.

Peter Chrisp qualified as an accountant in 1980. He has worked in National Health Service finance for 18 years.

He was previously financial controller and head of the Primary Care Group Finance Support Unit for the County Durham Health Authority, and more recently was finance advisor to the Darlington and Dales primary care groups.

In his new role, Mr Chrisp will provide financial advice to the trust and will oversee the negotiation and agreement of all services commissioned by it.