A new team has been set up by Hampshire County Council to expand recreation and heritage services.

The department brings together libraries, museums, archives, arts, sports, the countryside service, community support and outdoor activity services.

Yinnon Ezra, director of recreation and heritage, joined this year from Kent CC, where he was county officer for community and cultural services.

Another appointment is Richard Ward, currently head of arts and libraries in Kent. A former colleague of Mr Ezra, he joins Hampshire later this month as head of library and information services.

Stuart Dorward fills the new post of head of business development. He joined the county treasurer's department in 1990 and two years ago was seconded to the office of the Deputy PM as a business manager. He will be direct and develop the strategic management, policy formation, marketing and the forward planning activities of the department.

Having spent the last three years as acting director of arts, countryside and community at Hampshire County Council, Mike Wickenden has taken on the new role of head of arts, sport and community.

Mr Wickenden, who has been with the council for 31 years, will look after the network of arts centres in the county and be responsible for promoting sports development and supporting community life in village halls, community centres and through urban and rural community development projects.

John Tickle, who has worked for the county in various posts since 1987, is already in place as head of the countryside service and looks after the management of the county's countryside estate, together with the rights-of-way network.

Under the restructure, the previously separate museums and archives departments become one.

Stephen Locke, who joined Hampshire in 1988 as director of museums, becomes head of museums and archives and is responsible for the operation of 19 museums, as well as Hampshire Record Office.