BOLTON train travellers can now route complaints or comments on rail services to the area's new Operations Director.

Taking up the post is David Hooper, who joined First North Western on January 12, and will be responsible for the safe and efficient delivery of all operations across the firm's network.

Replacing Mark Hopwood, David was previously Network Rail's General Manager for the Wessex area.

Mr Hooper said: "I am sure that it will be an extremely challenging, but rewarding, position that will allow me to ensure that First North Western continues to improve its services for passengers."

Richard Peck, Managing Director of FNW, said: "We are delighted to welcome David to our team.

"He has an excellent reputation for hard work and dedication and is extremely knowledgeable about the rail industry - we're sure that he will prove to be a great asset to the company."

Mr Hooper has spent his whole career in railways, having first started as a General Operations Clerk with British Rail in the early 1990s.

Over the years, he has held a number of managerial positions with British Rail and successor companies Railtrack and Network Rail, in areas including route performance, project development, planning and commercial.

Mr Hooper is 33 and lives with his wife and two young children in Nantwich, Cheshire.