HALTON Borough Council's chief executive, Mike Cuff, has announced his resignation to take up a £110,000-a-year post in South Yorkshire.

Mr Cuff has been appointed chief executive at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and will take up his new position in the spring.

Mr Cuff joined Halton as chief executive 11 years ago from Lincoln City Council and during this time a number of regeneration schemes have been carried in Runcorn and Widnes.

He said: 'Although looking forward to the fresh challenges that Rotherham will bring, I shall nonetheless be very sorry to leave Halton. It has been a privilege to be chief executive here for the last 11 years.

'Becoming a unitary authority was a tremendous achievement, but equally the drive for regeneration has brought about major improvements in both Widnes and Runcorn with much more yet to come.'

Halton council leader Cllr Tony McDermott said: 'We all wish Mike the very best in his challenging new position. We owe a great deal to his work during the past 11 years - it is no exaggeration so say that he has transformed both the organisation and the towns that make up Halton. He will be a hard act to follow.

'Mike will still be with us for the next few months and work will continue as normal but we will be taking immediate action to fill the post of chief executive.'

Rotherham council leader Roger Stone said: 'We are very pleased that Mike Cuff will be joining us in this key role. He will take us forward and help us realise our ambitions to make Rotherham the best place to live, learn and work. A lot has been achieved, but we want to build on that, and make sure that all our citizens benefit.'