RADCLIFFE councillor Wayne Campbell has been promoted to become the new second-in-command of Bury Council.

He has represented Radcliffe Central voters for the last 18 years, and takes over the top post from Whitefield councillor Derek Boden.

It's the first time in nine years that the post of deputy council leader has been held by anyone other than Coun Boden or Councillor John Byrne, who remains as leader.

Coun Campbell will also hold the portfolio for resources on the all-powerful executive, which makes most of the major decisions in Bury Town Hall. Last year he was executive member for economic and social regeneration.

"I'm very pleased and excited about taking up the job," he said. "It's a challenge, but I'm looking forward to the next 12 months."

Coun Campbell (44) of Hunter Drive, Radcliffe is married and has three grown-up children. He works as a maintenance operations manager for a housing trust.

"The election results said that we were getting there, but we cannot be complacent and there's lots more to do," he said. "I've taken up the resources portfolio, an area we need to be looking at to make sure that we are maximising all the income we bring in."

The man he replaced, Coun Derek Boden, stepped down from the executive to concentrate on being leader of the North West Regional Assembly.

Labour has reshuffled its membership of the executive, on which it holds eight of ten seats.

Three new faces, councillors Gill Campbell, Ray Watts, and Stella Smith, replace Coun Boden, Coun Sylvia Mason and Julie Higson.

The new Labour line-up is:

Coun John Byrne: council leader; Coun Wayne Campbell: deputy leader and resource; Coun Steve Perkins: lifelong learning, culture, recreation and sport; Coun Mike Connolly: health, housing and social services; Coun Stella Smith: environment and transport; Coun Gill Campbell: communications and community development; Coun Ray Watts: economic and social regeneration; Coun Steve Treadgold: best value and competitiveness.

Coun Byrne said: "With a new and fresh executive in place, I feel we have the right blend of experience and enthusiasm which will drive things on.

In addition, the following have been appointed as lead spokesmen:

Coun John Byrne (safer communities), Coun Wayne Campbell (finance), Coun Trevor Holt (human resource), Coun Siobhan Costello (arts and culture), Coun John Costello (early years).

Coun Steve Perkins (school standards), Coun Paul Nesbit (sports and recreation), Coun Joan Grimshaw (post-16 and community education) Coun John Smith (housing), Coun Barry Briggs (social services), Coun Pam Walker (public protection).

Coun Derek Boden (LA21), Coun Winston Ramsey (highways and transport management), Coun Gordon Sharkey (disability), Coun Farook Chaudhry (elders), Coun Sylvia Mason (youth).