THE director of finance at Bury and Rochdale Health Authority has taken early retirement, but he is not counting on taking it easy.

Mr Joe Leigh (52), who held the post for eight years, said: "As an accountant, it is hardly a surprise that most of my career has been in finance. Early retirement gives me the opportunity to vary the nature of my career.

"I will now consider my options, perhaps with a full-time role in a different field. All offers will be carefully considered!"

He added: "I wish my colleagues in Bury and Rochdale and my successor every success in the reorganisation of the NHS and in the challenges that have been set." Mr Evan Boucher, acting chief executive for the authority said: "I would like to wish Joe the very best for the future and thank him, on behalf of the health authority, for the dedicated and committed approach he has given to his work over the years.

"He will be sadly missed by all at the authority."

Mr Leigh had worked in the NHS and local government since his appointment as a trainee accountant with Durham County Council in 1969.

In local government, he worked for Northumberland County Council and Newcastle Metropolitan Council in the early 1970s and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in the late 1980s.

His career has been predominately in finance, which has included spells as the NHS chief executive in Scotland.

This year he was seconded for two months as acting chief executive of the newly-created Heywood and Middleton Primary Care Trust.