Diane Wood has been appointed as the new chief executive of Cumbria County Council, subject to a full council meeting.

A cross-party panel of councillors chose Ms Wood to replace Jill Stanard, who announced her retirement in April. Ms Wood has been acting chief executive at the authority, which is run by a Labour/Lib Dem coalition, since the departure of Ms Stannard. She was previously corporate director of resources.

Leader of the council - and of the Labour group - Cllr Stewart Young, said: 'Diane is one of the most competent officers I have ever had the pleasure of working with and she will be a strong and confident chief executive with drive, ambition and focus to help steer us through what will be the most challenging financial times that this authority has ever had to face.'

Jo Stephenson, deputy leader and leader of the Liberal Democrat group said: 'Diane was the ideal candidate. Her extensive experience and ambition for the council made her the right choice for this administration.'

The salary for the role was previously £170,000, but has been cut after a benchmarking process when the previous chief executive.