THE newly-appointed chief executive of Bolton Council has won the approval of councillors to start work early next year.

Tony Oakman, who is the deputy chief executive of Dudley Council, was revealed this week as the town hall’s pick to take over from Margaret Asquith, subject to a vote at Wednesday’s full council meeting.

Councillors voted unanimously in support of appointing Mr Oakman, who was chosen from five candidates in a ‘thorough’ three-day interview process last week.

The London-born father-of-three , who lives in Appley Bridge, Wigan, is expected to start work in January and will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Ms Asquith, who took over after Paul Najsarek’s shock departure from the top council job in 2015, will retire at the end of March.