EIGHT members of the board of One NorthEast have been re-appointed to their posts.

The move is the first full round of re-appointments since One NorthEast was set up in 1988.

Deputy chairman of the board John Williams has been re-appointed for one year as have members Rita Stringfellow and Sue Wilson.

Members Alistair Arkely and Kevin Curran have been given their posts for another two years.

Barbara Dennis, Philip Hughes and Richard Maudslay will all continue as members of the board for three years.

Alan Johnson, Department of Trade and Industry spokesman for the regions and employment relations, said: "I look forward to continuing to work with all the board members to promote economic development, enterprise, investment and regeneration in the region.

"The Government's rolling programme of board appointments will allow new talent and fresh ideas to be brought in, while at the same time maintaining continuity to minimise disruption to the work of One NorthEast."

Four members of the board, Derek Fraser, John McCormack, Miles Middleton and Hugh Morgan-Williams will be leaving the board after three years.