BOLTON College governors have appointed a new principal after months of uncertainty.

Alison Bowes will take over from caretaker principal Dr David Collins at the end of the year.

The college was hit by problems following a damning report by inspectors and a financial crisis. But with the appointment of Ms Bowes, currently principal of Salford College, chiefs hope they can at last look to the future.

The principal's job will involve running the Manchester Road further education college and overseeing its merger with the Community Education Service on August 1 next year.

The new "super college" will have about 400 full-time staff and an annual turnover in excess of £15 million.

Pat Dickson, chair of Bolton College governors, said: "The governors are delighted that we have been able to find someone of Alison's calibre. We have great confidence in her ability to bring together and strengthen the two institutions to ensure the town has a further education service that is second to none."

Ms Bowes will fill the shoes of Terry Hogan, who left on health grounds earlier in the year as the college plunged into financial crisis.

Earlier this year, nearly all the key figures at Bolton College left and were replaced by a host of new faces.

Governors say the troubled era is finally over after the college had come under mounting pressure from the Further Education Funding Council.

Ms Bowes, who is married with two teenage daughters, said: "I am delighted to be coming to Bolton at what is a very exciting time."

She beat off stiff competition in three days of interviews and selection procedures.

With 25 years in further education, she is a former Further Education Funding Council inspector and has been principal of Salford College for three years.