The leader of Tonbridge and Malling council has taken a role scrutinising the way hospitals in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells are run.

Mark Worrall, OBE, a Conservative councillor for 26 years, has become a non-executive director of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.

In his professional life his career has covered marketing and sales management.

He is also the chairman of the board of directors of Age Concern and chairman and has been a member of West Malling Parish Council since 1976.

In his private life he has experienced the challenges of living with Multiple Sclerosis for the past 12 years.

Trust chairman Tony Jones said: "I can think of no better appointment to complete our non-executive team at the trust.

"He has a wealth of local knowledge and a hugely impressive and admirable association with many community-based organisations in our area."