A COUNCIL has a new director of economic development and planning.

Ribble Valley Borough has appointed Nicola Hopkins to the key post.

She started her career as a planning officer at Trafford Council, before joining Chorley Council as a planning and regeneration officer.

Mrs Hopkins, who has two children and lives in Burney whewre she was born, was promoted to principal planning officer before being appointed planning manager at Rossendale Council where she took the lead on the Spinning Point development in the centre of Rawtenstall.

Ribble Valley Borough leader Cllr Ken Hind said: “Nicola is an outstanding planner and her appointment is the start of a new era for the council, which is promoting itself as a place to start and grow businesses, and create new jobs.”