Former Carlisle United defender Tom Parkes in back on the move to the National League.

The centre-back has joined Hartlepool United on a permanent deal.

It sees the 31-year-old leave Scottish Premiership strugglers Livingston.

Parkes, who played for the Blues from 2017 to 2019, joins a Monkey Hangers side who sit 16th in non-league's top tier.

He could make his debut in Tuesday night's trip to AFC Fylde, a team managed by ex-Carlisle boss Chris Beech.

Parkes, speaking to the Hartlepool website, said: "I'm very happy to be here and I'm looking forward to the remainder of the season.

"For me, I want to get some games in and help the team climb up the table.

"I wasn't getting as much game time as I would have liked [at Livingston] and I took the decision to leave the club, and Hartlepool was a chance for me to get game time.

"It's a big club and it was a good decision for me to come here."

Parkes made 89 appearances for the Cumbrians in his two-year spell at Brunton Park after joining from Leyton Orient during Keith Curle's reign.

He was involved in the side that finished tenth in League Two in his first season and 11th the following campaign, the latter season under John Sheridan and Steven Pressley.

Parkes scored two goals during his time at Carlisle and has also played for Burton Albion, Leicester City, Yeovil Town, Bristol Rovers and Exeter City.

The Nottinghamshire-born player has been at Livingston since the summer of 2021 but has only figured in the side 12 times this season.

Also in the National League, meanwhile, a former Carlisle United man has lost his job.

Russell Penn has been sacked as manager of bottom club Kidderminster Harriers.

News and Star: Russell PennRussell Penn (Image: Barbara Abbott)

The ex-midfielder, who was at United in 2016/17, had been in charge at Aggborough for nearly four years.

“This is a difficult decision to have taken but one we feel is necessary in our current circumstances," said chairman Richard Lane. "Nonetheless, Russ leaves us with our full respect and will always be welcome at Kidderminster Harriers.”