DORSET COUNTY Council is to have its first ever female chief executive.

Director of adult and community services Debbie Ward will replace David Jenkins in the role when the current chief executive retires at the end of October.

The mother-of-two, who lives in Poole, joined the authority in May 2010 from Reading Borough Council and was appointed following a rigorous two-day recruitment exercise.

For the full story see Friday's Dorset Echo.