Cheshire's deputy chief constable Mike Evans will step up to fill the 'leadership gap' until a new top boss is appointed, the police commissioner said.

Mark Roberts announced last month he was retiring as chief constable after 33 years in policing.

In a statement issued at the time, Mr Roberts said: "I had hoped to take the force through to 2028, but the decision has been made to take the force in a different direction."

At Friday's (September 18) meeting of the police and crime panel, commissioner Dan Price (Lab) told members that all chief constables are appointed on a fixed term contract.

"Mark's contract was due to end in April 2027, and my office had started planning earlier this year for the recruitment of his successor and we've therefore now accelerated the process for the advertisement of a new chief constable going live at the end of this month," he said.

Panel member Professor Barry Godfrey said there was a 'leadership gap' with the chief constable stepping down imminently and his successor not starting until January.

"I think it would be normal in these situations for some kind of extension or bridging to take place.

"I wonder whether you've had those kinds of discussions with the chief constable, and whether you would welcome that?" he asked.

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Mr Price said one of Mr Roberts' specialisms on the National Police Chiefs' Council related to football and major events which mean he has been on visits elsewhere and the deputy chief constable had acted up as chief constable on those occasions.

"So, it is something that we are used to managing," he said.

"I have no significant concerns. The deputy chief constable has been very much involved in all the budget setting processes that are underway."