Chorley council's chief executive is to double-up her role by also taking on the top job at Wyre’s local authority.

In the first move of its kind in Lancashire, both Conservative-run councils will be headed by Donna Hall, who will take the helm at both authorities next month.

A spokesman for Chorley council said residents would benefit from savings of £85,000 as Wyre Borough Council will pay half of Ms Hall’s salary.

Recently published accounts show her total pay in the year 2009/10 was £157,144.

Ms Hall said: “We are facing some extremely difficult financial decisions over the coming months and we are leaving no stone unturned as we look at ways of doing things more efficiently.

“We will be reviewing everything we do and it’s important that I set an example for the rest of the authority by looking at how the senior management team can reduce its costs.”

Councillor Peter Goldsworthy, leader of Chorley Council, said: “Some of the biggest savings can be made at the top of the organisation, which is why we think this innovative move is a good idea.

“We already have experience of sharing services with neighbouring authorities and I’m sure this will be just as successful.

“I can promise people in Chorley that there will be no loss of service because we have a great team in place that will make sure we provide the very best for local people.”

Wyre Borough Council, based in Poulton-le-Fylde, is a similar size authority to Chorley.

The former chief executive, Jim Corry, retired in September.

The proposed plan for a shared chief executive will go before councillors in the next few weeks and if agreed the new structure should start in November.