A NEW chief executive has been appointed to run a hospice.

Paul Marriott has taken over at the helm of St Cuthbert’s Hospice, in Durham City which cares for more than 1,000 people a year coping with life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease.

Mr Marriott, who lives in Whitley Bay, has joined the hospice from Depaul UK, a national homelessness charity which helps disadvantaged young people.

He will lead a dedicated team at the hospice, which first opened in 1988, overseeing all areas of hospice life, from fundraising and administration to clinical services.

Mr Marriott said: "I am highly impressed by the way that the hospice is such a central part of the local community and I look forward to building on its great tradition in the future."

He replaces Angela Dinsdale who left St Cuthbert’s in March after five years as chief executive.