NORTH Yorkshire's two most senior police officers will both be men, The Press can reveal.

According to police sources, all eight applicants for the job of Deputy Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police are men.

The Press told last week how all the applicants for the job as Chief Constable, following Della Cannings' decision to retire earlier this year, were male officers.

Now it has been revealed that every candidate who has applied for the job of deputy following Ian McPherson's departure to become Chief Constable of Norfolk Constabulary - is also male.

The list of eight candidates for the Chief Constable's job has been whittled down from eight to a final four, who will now be interviewed.

The chosen candidate will be selected by next Monday. Applicants for the position of deputy will be interviewed a week later.

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.

Only four of the force's 22 superintendents or chief superintendents are women, and the Assistant Chief Constable is also male.

Mr McPherson quit the force only 13 months after joining and started his new role in January this year.

Previously an Assistant Chief Constable with Merseyside Police, he joined the North Yorkshire ranks in September 2005.

One of his main responsibilities was to oversee corporate development and performance for the force, and he played a major role in implementing Neighbourhood Policing.

Della Cannings 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 at the time that she was taking the decision to retire due to a "critical lifelong illness" and would not return to work before her official retirement date - which is on May 16.

North Yorkshire Police Authority then advertised for a new Chief Constable, who will earn £120,000.