A HONLEY man is the new deputy chief officer for the West Yorkshire Probation Board.

Steve Hemming, 52, has worked for the probation service for 30 years all over the country, from Rotherham and Hull to Bristol, Somerset and Gloucestershire.

He moved to Honley last November, when he became an assistant chief officer for the West Yorkshire board.

He started his career as a probation volunteer when he was a student in Leeds.

Mr Hemming said: "I've really enjoyed being back again. I love it.

"It's an exciting time to be working in probation and West Yorkshire is now the third best-performing area in the country."

Mr Hemming's job involves managing the most serious repeat offenders and also managing policy and performance across the county.