KEY posts have been filled at Durham University and at two of its constituent colleges.

Professor Alan Bilsborough has been appointed a pro-vice chancellor of the university, while Dr Alan Pearson becomes principal of St Hild and St Bede College, and Dr Nigel Martin takes over as principal of Trevelyan College.

After 15 years at Durham, Prof Bilsborough has been elevated to the university's senior planning team, taking up one of the three pro-vice chancellor posts.

The anthropology professor, an expert in human and primate evolution, will take on special responsibility in important policy areas, including teaching and learning.

He succeeds Professor Barry Gower, who becomes dean of the new Faculty of Health, Medicine and Environment, after completing the usual six-year term in the pro-vice chancellors' office.

Dr Pearson, a former botany lecturer in his 30th year at Durham, steps up after three years as vice-principal to take over as principal of St Hild and St Bede, the university's largest college, with more than 1,000 students. Former students at St Hild and St Bede include England cricket captain, Nasser Hussain, ex-cabinet ministers Lord Glenamara and Dr Jack Cunningham, plus sports broadcaster Gabby Yorath.

Dr Martin transfers to become principal of Trevelyan College after 16 years as vice-principal of Collingwood College at the university.

Trevelyan's famous former students include cabinet member and Redcar MP Dr Mo Mowlam and writer Minette Walters.

A senior mathematical sciences lecturer, Dr Martin has been at Durham University since 1976, but is known in political circles as a leading Liberal Democrat and Durham County Council member for Nevilles Cross since 1985