NORTH Yorkshire's new top cop will be a man.

Police sources have told The Press there have been eight applicants for the job as Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police following Della Cannings' decision to retire earlier this year.

The applicants already hold a range of senior positions in forces across the country - but every one of them is a male officer.

The list of eight candidates is due to be whittled down to a final four this week, who will then be interviewed.

Della Cannings was described as a "beacon" for aspiring female police officers as one of only five female chief constables in the 42 police forces in England and Wales.

A spokeswoman for the British Association for Women in Policing (BAWP) said Ms Cannings had been an inspiration to female officers working towards promotion.

The Press told in February how the force was advertising for a "winner of hearts and minds" to become its most senior police officer.

North Yorkshire Police Authority advertised for a new Chief Constable - who will earn £120,000 - following Della Cannings' announcement that she is to retire.

The authority said the chosen candidate would be "innovative to the need for change" and have an "acute sense of community and customer focus".

Ms Cannings, 54, announced her retirement due to ill health in January after more than four years at the helm of North Yorkshire Police.

Her contract had been due to expire in October.

She said she was retiring due to a "critical life-long illness" and would not return to work before her official retirement date - which is on May 16.

The county's new top cop will be expected to champion change within the force and encourage other senior staff to make it happen.

They will also need to be able to show an understanding of the communities of North Yorkshire. The police authority will come up with the shortlist by the end of this week and the chosen candidate will be selected by April 16.

Announcing her retirement, Ms Cannings said she was brought in as a "change agent" - and achieved a 25 per cent drop in crime during her time in the force - but added that it was now time for someone new to come in and do the job in their own way.