A NEW clerk has been appointed by Malvern Town Council - at the second attempt.

Shirley Young, who is currently head of street cleaning and operations at Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, is due to start her new job next February.

She has previously been a Fleet Street journalist and at the helm of a publishing company.

The town council attempted to appoint a replacement for its previous town clerk Stuart McDonough, in July but failed at the 11th hour after "warnings" were sent to prospective candidates by Malvern Town Action Group, that had been excluded from the selection process.

This time, MTAG was represented on the selection panel.

Rosemary Lansdowne, acting town clerk, will stay on in her temporary post until the beginning of March.

"I'm extremely pleased about the appointment they have made," she said. "There were seven good candidates on the shortlist and it was a difficult decision. But Mrs Young has outstanding credentials and will make a very good town clerk.

"I have enjoyed my time working here and I think the council has moved on significantly from when I came in July.

"I think the councillors are working together constructively and I will be leaving all the minutes up to date and with the council in a strong financial position."

Mrs Young was unavailable for comment on her appointment at the time of going to press as she is recovering from an operation.