A NEW coroner has been appointed in Dorset.

Rachael Griffin will take on the role when Sheriff Payne, senior coroner for the county, retires early next year.

The appointment was ratified by a meeting of Bournemouth's full council on December 6.

Ms Griffin, who was born in Bolton, graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a law degree and completed her legal practice at the University of Central Lancashire.

She then became a solicitor for one of the north west's leading law firms, specialising in criminal and prison law.

Ms Griffin leaves her position as assistant coroner in Manchester West to take over her Dorset role in February 2017.

She will be hosted in Bournemouth, but act as coroner for the county, representing Bournemouth Borough Council, Borough of Poole and Dorset County Council.

Representatives from the three councils have thanked Mr Payne for 16 years of "dedicated service as Dorset's coroner".