CATHERINE PEREPELYTSYA has been appointed project officer for the Maritime Heritage Trail.

It promotes tourism in the coastal regions of Kent, parts of Sussex and Nord Pas de Calais and Somme and Catherine will be working with its French partners on joint activities, marketing initiatives, staff exchanges and awards, and also improving the existing project’s website.

Catherine studied Sociology of Culture at the University of Rouen and has a masters degree, as well as a diploma in cultural management.

She came to England two years ago to work with Medway Council on an arts project funded through interreg IIIA.

She said: "I am looking forward to forging even closer ties with our counterparts on Northern France and organising joint activities.

"The areas on both sides of the Channel are steeped in maritime heritage and we want to make as many people as possible aware of interesting places they can visit and enjoy."