CUMBRIA Probation Service is set to have a new chief probation officer.

Mike Maiden, who was educated at Carlisle Grammar School and has worked throughout the region for much of his life, said he was delighted to be taking up the post.

Mr Maiden said: "I believe the service makes a genuine contribution to the safety of communities and is developing a new and exciting structure as a national organisation.

Cumbria already leads the way in many areas of practice and I look forward to seeing further improvements in the future."

The current chief probation officer, Ian White, said: "I know the future of the service will be in good hands."

Mr Maiden will take up the post in April this year.