THERE'S a new man at the helm of projects in Taunton town centre.

Paul Hayes steps into the shoes soon to be vacated by Lucy Ball as town centre manager.

He was appointed this week by the directors of Taunton Town Centre Company, who interviewed five applicants from across the country.

Mr Hayes, who unanimously won the board's backing, is currently heading up the campaign for the Royal Leamington Spa Business Improvement District, as well as managing the Regent Court Shopping Centre in Leamington Spa.

He has several years of town centre and shopping centre management experience in the Midlands and the East of England.

He said: "I am thrilled to be appointed, and I am really excited about working in one of the best towns in the country.

"I share the vision of the Taunton Town Centre Company board and local businesses that are determined to make Taunton realise its full regional potential and I look forward to working in partnership with all town centre stakeholders."

Francis Cornish, company chairman, said: "We are delighted Paul will be joining us. He has a most impressive track record. There is a huge job for him to do here and I know he will do it very well indeed. "

Paul will take over the role later this year. He will deliver the Taunton BID and will work with Project Taunton.