A NEW £105,000-a-year managing director at Worcester City Council is about to be appointed - with David Blake on the verge of landing the role.

Mr Blake, the council's current economic chief, has beaten off 26 other hopefuls to become the 'preferred candidate' of leading politicians.

It means the Londoner, who is currently tasked with helping drive through key regeneration projects in Worcester, is expected to be promoted to the top job of MD this coming Tuesday.

Mr Blake is the council's current corporate director for 'place', which includes responsibility for planning policy, economic development and housing.

He has been acting head of paid service since the departure of Sheena Ramsey last month, who quit the Guildhall's top job after 18 months in the role.

Mr Blake is said to have impressed a cross-party panel of leading councillors from Labour, the Conservatives and Greens during detailed grillings.

Some 27 people went for the job, with Mr Blake placed on a longlist of 10 before making it onto a shortlist of a selected few.

A full council meeting is taking place on Tuesday night, where a vote of all 35 councillors will take place to appoint him new MD.

Labour Cllr Adrian Gregson, who chaired the selection panel in his role as city council leader, said: "David has shown a great commitment to working tirelessly for the good of Worcester.

"All the panel agreed David was the best person to take this council forward on its journey to excellence."

Conservative group leader Cllr Marc Bayliss, who acted as the vice-chair, added: "David shone out from a very strong field of candidates for this important job.

"I know he is focussed on delivering a strong future for Worcester and on leading the council with vision and integrity - he will be a first rate managing director."

Mr Blake joined the council in 2014, having worked at the now-defunct regional development agency Advantage West Midlands for over a decade.

He worked on big regeneration projects across the region, managing a £58 million budget.

He has also spent significant career time in the private sector, and more recently has been working on Worcester's £20 million Cathedral Plaza.

He said: "It is an honour to be named as the preferred candidate.

"Worcester is a city on the up, with a growing tourism and heritage offer and many great businesses choosing to make their home here.

"I'm committed to helping create a bright future for the city, and to transforming the council to deliver an excellent service for all our residents."