A new temporary social services director has been appointed by Oxfordshire County Council, following the resignation of Mary Robertson.

Mrs Robertson resigned as social services director in February, following the death of her husband last year.

Stephen Wilds, who is interim director of adult services at Ealing Borough Council, will replace Mrs Robertson from Monday, April 29, but will arrive at County Hall this week to talk to staff. The department is currently being asked to find £9m of cuts to services to the elderly, children and the disabled.

Mr Wilds, who was not available for comment, will remain in place until a full-time replacement is found for Mrs Robertson later in the year.

Leader of the council, Keith Mitchell, said a panel interviewed Mr Wilds lastTuesday. His appointment was later confirmed by chief executive Richard Shaw.

Mr Mitchell said he did not want any kind of vacuum at such a difficult time for social services staff.

"We had to make an interim appointment because the director of social services is a statutory office and it would be illegal not to have one," he said.

"Mr Wilds will be asked to lead the team and take the department forward over the next six months."

Mr Wilds was director of social services at Sefton Borough Council on Merseyside from 1997 to 2000. He then moved to Enfield Borough Council, where he was interim director of social services, before taking up his current post with Ealing Borough Council.

The county council still has a vacancy for director of education, following the departure of Graham Badman last year to Kent County Council.

Roy Smith is currently acting education director.