The director of children’s services in Redbridge is recovering from serious injuries sustained in a car crash in Sicily.

Messages of support have been “flooding in” for Pat Reynolds at Redbridge Council, according to the local authority’s chief executive, Roger Hampson.

And whilst her injuries were not life-threatening, it is expected to be up to eight weeks before she can return to work, he told councillors and council employees in an email.

Mr Hampson said: “She is a marvellous officer. Everybody wishes her well, and her absence creates a large hole in the organisation.”

In the meantime, the council has to appoint a temporary director by law until Ms Reynold’s return, and John Drew, a recent retiree from the Youth Justice Board, has been chosen.

He was a director of social services and then of adult social services with the council and served as the chief executive of the Youth Justice Board.

Mr Hampson said: “John is hugely respected both inside and outside the authority, is professionally very well qualified, and knows our systems and people.”

The proposal will be put to the council’s appointments committee on Monday.