Debbie Ward is Dorset County Council's first woman chief

Debbie Ward worked as a housing director at Reading Borough Council before moving to Dorset

The first female chief executive of Dorset County Council has been appointed.

Debbie Ward is the council's current director for adult and community services and joined from Reading Borough Council in May 2010.

She will take over from David Jenkins when he retires at the end of October and will be in charge of about 15,000 staff and a budget of more than £670m.

Ms Ward is married with two sons, aged eight and 12, and lives in Poole.

Angus Campbell, leader of the council and chair of the selection panel, said Ms Ward was "a hugely capable individual" who had made "huge strides" in her current department "in times of increasing budgetary constraint".

Ms Ward said: "I will take up the job with enthusiasm and a clear sense of responsibility for the leadership I will need to show as we rise to the significant challenges of the coming years.

"I am particularly looking forward to working with my colleagues, the many committed staff, partners, councillors and most importantly communities and people across this beautiful county of Dorset."

Ms Ward began her career as an environmental health officer and has worked in housing, community safety and social care.