A FORMER Top Gear producer has landed a role among the new-look Conservative leadership at Worcestershire County Council.

Councillor Ken Pollock has been one of the big winners of the enforced reshuffle by becoming the new cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure.

The top position was confirmed yesterday after the authority's new leader, Councillor Simon Geraghty, spent the weekend filling one vacancy after the Adrian Hardman drink-drive saga.

Councillor Geraghty was appointed new leader last Thursday, with Councillor Hardman's resignation and subsequent reshuffle leaving one cabinet seat empty.

Dr Pollock is a retired former academic and television producer who was instrumental in the success of Top Gear, working alongside Jeremy Clarkson.

The Tory, who lives in Martley and represents Tenbury, will oversee huge projects like the £41 million dualling of the A4440 Southern Link Road and lobbying over dualling Carrington Bridge.

He said: "I'm very much looking forward to working even more closely with Simon and cabinet colleagues.

"From my time as an academic, with the BBC and subsequently as a self-employed television producer, I have developed a keen appreciation of the value of business in the success of the economy.

"It is on that success that so many public services are built.

"We have ambitious plans in place for economic growth in Worcestershire, a great deal has been achieved and thousands of new jobs are being created."

He said one of his main aims would include continuing to "attract and develop a highly skilled workforce".

The appointment means the senior Conservative leadership team at County Hall is now back up to nine councillors operating at cabinet-level.

Last week Councillor Geraghty made environment chief Anthony Blagg his new deputy leader, but kept the other cabinet roles the same.

The cabinet members get allowances of £16,499 a year on top of their existing councillor payouts.

Councillor Pollock has considerable experience in his new field, as he chairs a council scrutiny panel investigating issues around the economy and environment.

Councillor Geraghty said: "I'm delighted that Councillor Pollock is joining the cabinet.

"Ken has gained considerable experience in this really important area of council business from his time as chairman of the economy scrutiny panel.

"Worcestershire has the third fastest growing economy in the country.

"Working with Ken, the rest of the cabinet team and with the Local Enterprise Partnership it will be our priority to continue to grow the local economy and create better paid jobs."

Prior to joining Top Gear Councillor Pollock, who joined the BBC in 1977, worked on the old BBC programme Farming, which he renamed Countryfile.

He joined Top Gear Motorsport in 1994, which ran until 1998.