THE leader of Horwich town council, Michael Kilcoyne, has promised to scrutinise health decisions at the Royal Bolton Hospital after being appointed as a non-executive member of its board.

Cllr Kilcoyne has a long record of local public service, having been a member of the former health authority from 1987 to 1990, a member of Bolton Council from 1986 to 2002, and Mayor of Horwich in 1999/2000.

Cllr Kilcoyne, who is also a school governor, was delighted to join the hospital board. He said: "I used to be a member of the health authority when councillors had a natural right to be on the board.

"I will be responsible for holding to account the directors of the hospital in a productive and positive way."

He added: "You will not see me launching any sort of crusade, but with the background that I have in local government, and as a manager and a former executive member of the council, I feel that I am in a good position to scrutinise the excellent work which is being done at the hospital.

"I think I will bring a slightly different dimension to the board."

Cllr Kilcoyne works as liability manager at the council tax unit of Manchester City Council and is an active member of the Labour Party. He will receive £5,294 per annum for his role on the board.

Hospital trust chairman Peter Liptrott welcomed Cllr Kilcoyne and said members looked forward to working with him. His post lasts until November 30, 2006.