A health trust which is more than #9 million in debt has announced the appointment of a new finance director.

Peter Sawyer will take up his position, which also includes the role of deputy chief executive, at Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust in the summer.

For the past 11 years he has been director of finance and deputy chief executive of Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust.

The 53-year-old, who has 30 years experience of financial management within the health service, will take over from interim finance boss Peter Hollinshead.

He was brought into help the trust tackle its multi-million pound debts after Andrew Wooding quit in June 2004, as a #17 million deficit was revealed.

Mr Sawyer lives in Stourton, near Stourbridge, with his wife Lynne and children, Jonathan, aged 20, and Stephanie, aged 17.

He said: "Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals is a high profile NHS Trust and very well-respected for its clinical standards.

"I am well aware of the financial challenges at Wolverhampton and of the fantastic progress that has already been made towards tackling them.

"I very much look forward to working with chief executive David Loughton and his new team as well as colleagues in the finance department."

The trust also announced the appointment of Cheryl Etches as director of nursing. She will take up her post in June.

The 46-year-old, who has been deputy director of nursing at Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull Hospitals NHS Trust since 2002, will replace Denise Bott, who left the trust in January.

Miss Etches currently lives in Derbyshire, where she worked as an A&E department manager and head of clinical governance.

"The nursing and midwifery workforce at Wolverhampton have a reputation for being well motivated to work for the delivery of high quality care and services for the patients of Wolverhampton," she said.

"I am very keen to look for ways to involve patients and carers in improving their experience and ensure that they continue to be proud of their hospitals."

The trust's chief executive David Loughton said: "I am delighted to welcome both Peter and Cheryl to the team at Wolverhampton.

"Both have a first class reputation in their field and I am looking forward to working with them."