Clanfield Parish Council has appointed a new clerk who will take up her post at the start of next month.

Katie Knowles will succeed long-serving clerk Diane Duffy, who retires next month.

Katie, who has lived in the village for 15 years, is a former clerk and executive officer of Headley Parish Council in the north of the East Hampshire district.

She has also been deputy clerk of Whitehill Town Council.

Katie will start work at the parish council’s new office in The Clanfield Centre on July 1.

Chairman of Clanfield Parish Council John Bannell said: “I am delighted Katie will be joining us and we look forward to working with her.

“Her considerable experience of local government at a senior level will ensure we will have the smoothest possible transition when Diane retires at the end of July.”

And, looking forward to her new appointment, Katie added: “It is an exciting time to join Clanfield Parish Council which has plans for new initiatives and projects.

“I am looking forward to working with councillors to continue to support and guide the work of the council, its new committees and its working groups.”