NORTH Yorkshire's controversial chief constable has announced her retirement - five months before her contract runs out.

Questions were today being asked as to why Chief Constable Della Cannings is leaving the helm early. She will not get to see out her five-year contract, which expires in mid-October.

One York officer told The Press: "No one knows why she is leaving before her contract runs out, but she has been gone since Christmas anyway. All her gear had been cleared out of her office."

Ms Cannings, 53, has been on sick leave since January 3 and officers claim her office has been empty for at least a fortnight - despite her official retirement date being given as May 16.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian McPherson also left before Christmas - leaving the force in the hands of Assistant Chief Constable Peter Bagshaw.

The Press told in November how Ms Cannings had applied for a job as Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police - but was beaten to the post by former Merseyside chief Norman Bettison.

She was due to give more details of her retirement, announced on www.yorkpress.co.uk yesterday, at a press conference today.

Ms Cannings has been no stranger to controversy during her four years at the helm of North Yorkshire Police - most recently coming under fire when it emerged that a revamped en-suite shower in her office at Newby Wiske cost more than £28,000.

One officer said: "The last six months have been her undoing. They have been marred by what happened with the shower and that sort of thing."

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Phil Willis said: "It is hardly surprising that Della Cannings has decided to call it a day as the leader of North Yorkshire Police - such has been under the constant criticism for her extravagant use of resources.

"I would be the first to recognise Della has transformed North Yorkshire Police during her time in office and operationally the force is in a far better state to fight crime and protect citizens and their property. The reduction in key crime statistics bears this out.

"However, I feel the huge increases in the police precept over a number of years could have been used far more effectively and the extravagant use of taxpayers' money for luxury cars, personal showers, outdoor tents simply detracted from operational success."

But in a statement issued by the force, Miss Cannings said: "It has been an honour and privilege to lead North Yorkshire Police since 2002.

"The achievements of the service over that period have been outstanding and I leave my successor with an organisation fit and ready to take on the many challenges which face the police service."

Police Authority chairwoman Jane Kenyon said: "The people of North Yorkshire and York owe Della Cannings an enormous debt of gratitude for what she has achieved."

Della Canning's arresting North Yorks service record

DELLA CANNINGS joined North Yorkshire Police as Chief Constable on October 14, 2002.

She had previously been Assistant Chief Constable with Cleveland Police - a role that involved dealing with the disciplinary aspects of Operation Lancet - the multimillion pound inquiry into corruption within that force and the actions of "Robocop" Ray Mallon.

She has been at the centre of controversy on many occasions during her time in North Yorkshire.

A dog lover herself, in 2003 she persuaded the police authority to spend £250,000 on modern kennels for the force's dogs.

In the same year she oversaw a massive 76 per cent rise in the council tax police precept, followed by a further rise of almost ten per cent in 2004, and was at the helm when reserves reached £35 million last year.

She hit headlines again that year when she was told by supermarket staff that they were not allowed to serve alcohol to uniformed officers - so she took off her hat and epaulettes so she could buy a bottle of wine.

She also instructed officers to wear their "operational uniform" fleeces, rather than formal attire, for royal visits, but then donned ceremonial dress herself for a visit from the Queen.

Later that year, she single-handedly arrested two men in 2003 as she travelled through York. She saw a group of youths vandalising advertising banners outside the Riverside Farm restaurant and pub, near Skelton, ordered her driver to stop in the car park, got out of the car and grabbed the two young men.

Last year, she was the only chief constable in the Yorkshire and Humber region to back Government plans - which were later scrapped - to merge police forces.

She then came under fire when it emerged that a revamped en-suite shower in her office at Newby Wiske cost more than £28,000, and a few months later a £7,500 shelter was installed in the courtyard.

Was county's top cop well-regarded?

What the councillors said:* Clifton ward councillor, Ken King said: "Before Della Cannings took over we had good relations in York with all of the previous chief constables and I personally worked very closely with them, but unfortunately that doesn't seem to have happened under Della.

"I hope this position changes in the future and I look forward to striking a good relationship with the new chief constable when they are appointed."

* Holgate ward councillor and former police authority member Gil Nimmo said: "I think Della Cannings is a formidable lady in every respect and she will be a hard act to follow."

What the bobbies said:

* "Despite all the rumours, she's done a lot for the force and you can't get away from that. We went from being a nicey, nicey force, but we never really did much, to one where performance is monitored whether you like it or not, and we're in the top quarter of forces in the UK."

* "It doesn't bother me one way or the other really because I just get on with my job. I don't care about all the politics."

* "It's one of those roles where if somebody goes you don't really miss them being there. It's only when something like the Drax protests kicks off or an accident like the Great Heck rail crash happens that you look to them for direction. We're not sat around wondering what to do just because she's gone."

* "She wasn't as in touch with the officers as some of her predecessors. Some people will be sorry to see her go, but there are probably some who aren't."