A NEW parish councillor has been appointed to the Belmont ward after a nine-month vacancy.

Martin Cowell of Chapel Street in Belmont has been sworn in as the ward's second councillor to work alongside Coun Ian Bevan.

Geoff Hughes, North Turton Parish Council clerk, said: "It's a relief that we've finally filled the position.

"It had stood vacant for almost nine months and we were having real troubles filling the post."

Coun Cowell was sworn in at the beginning of April and signed his acceptance of office at the beginning of this month.