This year's competition takes place from 27 May to 9 June

Roger Hurst, the TT Marshals' Association chairman, succeeds Chief Constable Mike Culverhouse in the role.

Neil Hanson, TT & MGP Clerk of the Course, said the changes were aimed at improving the organisation and co-ordination of the marshalling.

He said it brought arrangements more in line with those used at other circuits.

'Grounds of conflict'

TT organisers, the Manx Motor Cycle Club Limited, said the Chief Marshal would have a completely hands-on role, as chief constables had in the days when the police recruited and organised the marshals.

With the transfer of those duties to the TT Marshals' Association many years ago, the Chief Marshal post had become an honorary one.

Chief Constable Culverhouse said: "I acknowledge and fully understand the reasoning behind this move.

"Clearly I could not satisfy this requirement, not only on the grounds of conflict with my primary role as Chief Constable, but also on the grounds of knowledge and expertise."

This year's competition takes place from 27 May to 9 June.