HEALTH watchdog Sir Bill Taylor has called on East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust to appoint a new chief executive who is ‘local’.

Mark Brearley announced his departure on Friday, after a difficult year in which the trust was put in special measures.

Sir Bill, chair of Blackburn with Darwen Healthwatch, said: “Given the general public lack of confidence in the reputation of our hospitals, I hope the decision makers act in the interests of the local community and get local, confident and well trusted people in as soon as possible.”