THE new boss of Worcester City Council has challenged the city to make more of its heritage - saying she's been left "staggered" by its history and beauty.

Sheena Ramsey, who took over as managing director in August, told your Worcester News she intends to make much more of the city's special standing to attract in more tourists and new investment.

The 53-year-old, who hails from the north of England, said:

- She "cannot believe" the city's beauty and intends to continue previous work to improve the riverside

- She says the city must make more of its history, including a potential bid for Heritage City status

- After shrugging off stiff competition for the role she sees it as has "last big job" in her career

- She has urged Worcestershire to be careful about grabbing devolved powers from the Government, saying the county must be clear about what it wants

Ms Ramsey, a mum-of-three, spent nearly a decade at Knowsley Council in Merseyside before arriving in Worcester.

Born in Northumberland, she grew up mainly in Newcastle, getting a degree in Geology at Goldsmiths University of London before launching a career in local government.

She took on top jobs in Middlesbrough and Newcastle before moving to Merseyside, and moved to Worcester in August to rent a converted loft in Washington Street.

"I've been bowled over by Worcester, the people are enormously friendly here, incredibly warm and I'm staggered by the city," she said.

"I've been on around 10 ward walkabouts with councillors getting a feel for different parts of the city, it's absolutely fantastic.

"It really is fabulous and I don't think Worcester has made enough of that, it has so much to offer."

She said she wants to use her position to focus intensely on marketing the city better, backing the council's new Corporate Plan, which includes investments like the £260,000 Commandery revamp.

"For me, we do need to assert ourselves and really promote what Worcester's about, I've heard people use the expression 'county town' but Worcester is more than that, it's a city," she said.

"I also think there's scope to do more around the riverside, I know a lot of people walk around it now but I feel there's more to be done there."

Her comments come after Worcester was named among the UK's top 10 heritage destinations in national research by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Royal Society for the Arts.

She is also firm around her position on devolution - urging the county's politicians to reach a clear view before going to the Government, especially if it includes some sort of combined authority.

"The key thing is looking at what you want devolved and making sure we evidence the benefits," she said.

"We need to look at the options but there is no point in going down that route unless we are clear about the benefits."

Ms Ramsey, who is on £105,000 a year, took over from Duncan Sharkey who left for a new corporate directors job at Milton Keynes Council.