ST HELENS North MP Dave Watts is not severing all his links with local goverment, despite his election to Parliament at the last election.

For he has accepted the position of vice-president with the new all-party Local Government Association, which represents all local councils following the merger of all the local authorities oranisations in the country.

Dave, the former Leader of St Helens Council, said: "I am honoured to have been offered this prestigious position on the new Local Government Association, which I believe will, for the first time, give local councils a united voice.

"It is very important that the new Labour Government are aware of the problems faced by local councils and that adequate resources are made available to our schools and other council services.

"My new role will require me to act as a bridge between local and central government, making sure that a better understanding exists between the new Labour Government and local councils.

"I look forward to this new challenge and to building a new partnership between central and local government in rebuilding public services."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.