FORMER Bury boss David Flitcroft has been confirmed as the new manager at Swindon Town this afternoon.

The 43 year old succeeds Luke Williams in the County Ground hotseat, ending Town's lengthy search for a new boss since Williams' tenure was ended at the start of last month.

The length of Flitcroft's contract with Town has yet to be revealed, the club adding that he had been handed "a very competitive budget'' with which to try and plot a return to League One next season.

Flitcroft parted company with League One Bury, for whom he also featured in his playing career, in November after an 11-game run without a win, although he did guide the Shakers to a 2-1 win over Town in Wiltshire in September.

Flitcroft had been boss at Gigg Lane for nearly three years, leading the club to promotion out of League Two in the 2014-15 campaign.

A statement on Town's website read: "Swindon Town are delighted to announce David Flitcroft as our new manager.

"The club has taken its time over this appointment as it was vital after relegation that we got the right man to take the club forward and give us the best chance of promotion back to League One at the first time of asking. We are convinced David is this man.

"David has a fantastic footballing background as a player, a coach and a manager and most importantly knows this level of football and how to get out of it, having guided Bury to promotion from the Sky Bet League Two during the 2014/15 campaign.

"David has been given a very competitive budget and will now begin the job of putting a squad together with the aim of competing at the top of League Two.''

As manager of Barnsley in 2012-13, the former Chester City and Rochdale midfielder helped the Tykes narrowly avoid relegation.

Flitcroft's appointment ends Town's at-times tortured search for a new manager following relegation to League Two in April.

Chairman Lee Power was rebuffed in his advances for Mansfield Town chief Steve Evans, while the likes of former Town player Adi Viveash and ex-Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill distanced themselves from the vacancy.

Former England striker Teddy Sheringham was also understood to have been approached regarding the role last week.