A NEW chief probation officer has been appointed as part of a national overhaul of the service.

Middlesbrough-born Elaine Lumley, who is an assistant chief probation officer, will take up the post on Teesside from April.

She has worked for the area's probation service for most of the 17 years since she qualified at the former Teesside Polytechnic.

When not in the area, she has also worked for the British Consulate and a drug and alcohol rehabilitation unit in Australia.

After becoming a Teesside probation officer in 1984, Mrs Lumley worked with offenders on probation.

During her time as a senior officer, she has been responsible for teams of officers and the service's two hostels.

Her latest appointment comes as all 42 of the country's probation services are unified under one director into the National Probation Service for England and Wales.

She said: "I am delighted to lead Teesside Probation Service at the start of this challenging period.

"I look forward to the support of both colleagues and members of the board in ensuring that we provide an excellent service in managing offenders on Teesside."