A ROMANIAN Honorary Consul is to be appointed in Southampton next week in advance of the country joining the European Union on January 1.

In preparation the Romanian Embassy is boosting its presence across the UK, which in the south will include the appointment of an Honorary Consul to be based in Southampton.

Dr Roxana Carare-Nnadi, a Southampton resident and lecturer at the University of Southampton Medical School, will be appointed the Honorary Consul at the event on December 8.

The mayor of Southampton, Councillor John Slade, will host the welcoming ceremony, which will also be attended by local MPs and the Romanian Ambassador.

The ceremony is from 3pm to 7pm at the Civic Centre.