TWO new directors have been appointed at Durham County Council.

Amanda Healy has been named as the authority’s new director of public health, while Margaret Whellans has been made corporate director of children and young people’s services.

Ms Healy, who is currently director of public health at South Tyneside Council, began her career working as a Look After Yourself Tutor, working with local communities. She has worked across Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland as a consultant in public health and holds key positions on regional and international health organisations.

Mrs Whellans has been interim corporate director of children and young people’s services for the past eight months and has worked in local government in the region for more than 30 years.

The council’s chief executive Terry Collins said: “We are an ambitious council, with very clear aims for how we want the county to grow and develop and having a strong management team is key to this.”

Leader Cllr Simon Henig welcomed the experienced and proven pair to the posts.