York Police Chief Superintendent Jim Kilmartin is to retire following a clash with the Chief Constable over staffing levels.

Supt Kilmartin's shock departure comes only weeks after he took over the force's new flagship Central area, covering York and Selby.

He has told the Chief Constable, David Kenworthy that he has serious reservations about staffing levels within the area.

"I cannot be supportive of some of the changes being made and I feel that having made my views clear I should retire," he said.

Mr Kenworthy said he had reluctantly accepted Supt Kilmartin's decision, saying he had been a "superb leader", who had forged strong partnerships in the fight against crime.

The Chief Constable said: "Jim has constantly fought to increase the resources available to him and I respect him for a stance that is motivated by a commitment to public service."

York MP Hugh Bayley said this afternoon he was sorry to see Jim Kilmartin go - and revealed that he also had concerns about the policing resources allocated to the York area.

"I have already expressed concerns to the Chief Constable's predecessor that the division gets less than its fair share of the county's resources," he said.

And he added: "The York division has suffered too many changes in personnel at the top in recent years. We need a divisional commander who stays in post long-term to build local partnerships in the fight against crime."

County Councillor Angela Harris, who chairs North Yorkshire Police Authority, said news of Supt Kilmartin's retirement marked a sad day for the force, where he was deeply respected.

"He has been an absolutely superb officer," said Mrs Harris.

"Personally I have always admired his work, and he is known as a fine officer throughout the force.

"It's always very difficult when officers have completed their 30 years service for them to decide whether they want to carry on, especially with what is going to be a very challenging future for the force."

Supt Kilmartin, the most decorated officer in North Yorkshire, is the third key superintendent to resign since the names of the new area commanders were announced.

Superintendent Tom Fox, who was to take over the Eastern area, and superintendent Jim Tulip, who was to have been Supt Kilmartin's second in command, have already tendered their resignations.

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