STOKE-ON-TRENT City Council has recruited one of its most senior officers from within the authority.

Paul Simpson has been appointed the council's new director of central services. The authority's former head of finance was recruited from a field of six candidates from across the country after the position was advertised nationally. His responsibilities include managing the council's £223m budget, council tax collection and benefits payments.

Interim chief executive Chris Harman said: " I am particularly pleased that we have been able to recruit from within. It demonstrates the extremely high quality of our officers."

Mr Simpson said: "Being an existing city council employee means I already have an understanding of the area, council services and the challenges and opportunities facing the city."

Mr Simpson, from Derby, replaces former director of central services, Julie Gill, who left in January.