A Director of health for Darlington is being sought to tackle issues including drug abuse and teenage pregnancy.

The new post, which will be advertised next week, will cover Darlington Borough Council health initiatives and those of the NHS Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT).

The officer will be the first in the region employed to cover NHS and council health programmes, including work in schools and the community.

Colin Morris, chief executive of the primary care trust, said: "The director of health will work to raise health awareness and to combat ongoing problems in Darlington.

"He or she will also cover the containment of infectious disease outbreaks in the town.

"Subjects that impact on the public's health, like drugs, teenage pregnancy and accidents on the roads, will all come under the remit of the new role.

"We are the first PCT in the region, and probably one of the first in the country, to offer this joined-up approach to health improvement.

"There are so many issues that have some cross over with social services and the health authority - it makes sense to have one person heading these joint projects."

The director of health will co-ordinate work in schools and the community to educate people about the health issues specific to Darlington.

He or she will also tackle issues that effect people in the most deprived areas of town.

Stephen Harker, council cabinet member for community health in Darlington, said: "Where there are areas of deprivation and specific health issues are raised, the director of health will look at ways of improving things.

"The director will work to improve the health of the whole of the town and the people who live here.

"The director will have the flexibility to bring resources from both the PCT and the authority to deal with health problems efficiently and effectively."

The announcement of the post, which will be jointly funded by the council and health trust, was made at the second meeting of the recently formed primary care trust.