WIGAN has appointed a new assistant director of education.

Avril Walton, 48, will have responsibility for the management and development of the council's biggest department.

She is currently head of educational support services in Manchester and has over 20 years experience in education, initially as a further education lecturer.

Her new post will include responsibility for managing Wigan education authority's £125million annual budget, bidding for external funding, staff management, planning educational provision and working with headteachers and governors on major issues relating to school buildings and finance.

A native of Manchester, who lives in Warrington, Avril is a keen organic gardener.

She takes up her post in May.

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