A FORMER Haslingden High School pupil has been appointed the new manager of finance at an Accrington company.

Catherine Horrocks took up her new post at Springhill Care Group just a fortnight before her 40th birthday but quickly settled in when a surprise celebration was organised by her new colleagues.

She said: "I wasn't looking for a new job as I was happy in my previous post but when this opportunity came up at Springhill I knew of the company's high reputation and decided to give it a go."

"Nevertheless I was nervous about making such a move but I need not have worried.

"As soon as people in the office realised it was my birthday, a cake and flowers suddenly appeared.

"It was such a warm welcome; I felt instantly at home in my new environment and haven't looked back."

Catherine, who lives in Baxenden with her finance director husband Les, 48, and children Tim 21, Chloe 18, and Oliver 13, has worked in accounts throughout her professional life.

She studied for her Association of Accounting Technicians qualifications at Accrington and Rossendale College and is currently a part time student there, undertaking a course with the Chartered Management Institute.