TWO nursery nurses whose unexpected displays of artistic talent surprised their employers have been promoted.

KYRA McKENRY, from Low Fell, Gateshead, and SHARON GRAY, from Urpeth Grange, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, have been appointed deputy managers at the new £500,000 Ashfield Nursery and Early Learning Centre in Low Fell, Gateshead.

It is their second promotion in less than six months. They became senior nursery nurses at the beginning of the year.

Although neither of the 28-year-olds has any formal art training, they designed and painted wall murals throughout the Low Fell nursery premises.

Michelle Cawley, nursery manager, said: "Kyra and Sharon hit the headlines with their display of artistic talent but it is their professional skill with children which has won them promotion."

* JAN HILARY, former head of communications at Newcastle City Council, has joined corporate public relations consultancy Mary Dryden Associates as an associate director.

Having spent 16 years at the council, Jan has an in-depth knowledge of public sector procurement, including the private finance initiative and public private sector partnerships.

She is also press officer for the Institute of Public Relations in the North-East.

* Accountant Howarth Clark Whitehill has changed the management structure at its Hartlepool office.

CHRIS DAVEY will assume the day-to-day role of managing partner, while PETER OLSEN becomes chairman of the partnership.

Mr Olsen was previously managing partner for 30 years.

Mr Davis joined the firm in 1981 and became partner in charge of the audit department ten years ago.

* Sunderland call centre and marketing services company 2Touch has appointed RICHARD ROBSON as IT director.

He joins the company from Paris Ceramics Ltd where he was operations manager. Prior to that he was head of information systems at Avco Trust plc.

* Brunswick Warehouse has appointed ELLEN BRETT as store manager at its Darlington mini-mart.

Ms Brett was a senior sales assistant in the soft furnishings department of Selfridges in London.

She has 30 years of retail experience, including three spent working in Australia.

* Livestock care and management specialist Ritchey Tagg has appointed MAGGIE HAIGH, 38, as assistant production manager at its head office in Masham, North Yorkshire. A graduate of Harper Adams Agricultural College, Maggie is a farmer's daughter with more than 20 years of experience in the pig breeding and animal nutrition sec- tors.

* SIAN HUGHES has joined Aptus Personnel as regional controller for the North-East.

Based in the Middlesbrough office, Ms Hughes will cover the area from Leeds to Aberdeen, helping to generate sales, develop staff and increase profitability of seven Aptus branches.