A DURHAM University graduate who began her career as a social worker with Durham County Council will return to the authority as one of its chief officers.

Rachael Shimmin has been appointed corporate director of the adult and community services in the final phase of the authority's structural shake-up.

Yorkshire-born Ms Shimmin, who is head of adult services with Newcastle City Council, will take up the post at a date to be announced.

After studying sociology and applied social studies at Durham University, Ms Shimmin began her career as a children's social worker with Durham County Council, working in south-west Durham.

At 36, she will be one of the youngest directors of adult and community services in the country.

Three departments are being created as a result of mergers between services.

Ms Shimmin will head the adult and communities service, which will combine part of the social care and health service with the culture, leisure and adult learning departments.

The welfare rights, gipsy and traveller liaison and community safety services, which are part of the chief executive's department, will also be her responsibility.