MIDDLEWICH High School's new headteacher says he will focus on school standards in his new role.

David Lythgoe has taken over after the retirement of Philip Andrews who served the school for 21 years.

Mr Lythgoe, a father of three from Leigh, in Lancashire, said: "From a personal perspective I would hope to bring to the school new ideas, energy and a focus on standards in uniform, behaviour, learning and attitudes."

After starting a career in the chemical industry, Mr Lythgoe turned his hand to teaching in 1983.

He started in Salford and worked at three different schools there before moving to Ruffwood School, in Knowsley.

After a seven-year stint as deputy head at Golborne High School in Wigan, Mr Lythgoe came to Middlewich where, he says, he has been very impressed.

"My early impressions of the school are very favourable. The staff are hardworking and committed, the pupils well-ordered and responsive, and the environment is very pleasant," he said.

Mr Lythgoe enjoys swimming, cycling and walking in the Lake District in his spare time.

But his plans and beliefs about the future of Middlewich High School are anything but leisurely.

He said: "The results are improving steadily and I would expect this trend to continue. It's a strong school with an improving record and the potential to go further."