Maidstone Town Centre Management has a new woman at its helm.

Ilsa Butler has been appointed as MTCM change co-ordinator, a new role which has been created for the next 12 months.

She has stepped up from her personal assistant and administrative roles to take on the position.

Chairman Andy Davy said: "Ilsa was the stand-out candidate from the 35 applicants who applied for the job in displaying the vision and creative thinking necessary in driving the business forward."

She said: "I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to manage the team during this period of change."

Her role will include to manage bringing the Town Team functions under the TCM umbrella and to make the crime reduction partnership as a stand-alone business.

Previous town centre manager Bill Moss retired in January.