THE new chairman of an environmental charity is vowing to 'continue delivering outstanding social benefits' to residents.

Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside (CLM) has appointed Tracy Fishwick to the role, along with a number of new trustees to its board.

The organisation runs a 'roots to wellbeing' programme in Bewsey and Dallam and a 'prince's trust' programme in the town centre.

Ms Fishwick, who joined the board in 2015, succeeds previous chairman Neil Cumberlidge.

She has a successful track record in local government, leading the employment, skills and social inclusion agendas at both borough and sub-regional levels.

She has also founded a range of employment programmes to help create opportunities to connect unemployed people with the labour market in areas of social deprivation.

Groundwork CLM was formed in April 2015 following the merger of two of the founding members of the Groundwork movement – Cheshire and Lancashire West & Wigan.

And following the new appointments the trust has set out its vision to build people's skills and job prospects, while working 'in a greener way'.

Tracy said: "The people across our region know the importance of our work in changing people's lives.

"Along with our partners, we will continue to deliver outstanding social benefits to the people, communities and neighbourhoods we support.

"The board and executive team are a hugely passionate and a skilled team who are determined to build on the recent successful recent merger, which is a fantastic platform to do more.

"It's a real honour to be invited to lead at this time in our evolution."

Groundwork CLM's executive director Andrew Darron added: "Tracy's passion for social enterprise, her charitable work and the fact that she both understands and shares the Groundwork values will make her a huge asset as chairman.

"Over the next five years we're committed to changing even more places and more lives.

"Tracy's experience, her vision and her connection across a range of sectors will play an important role in us achieving this."

The new trustees are Guy Parker, Andrew Upton and Mick Warner – they will cover development, housing and finance.