North Yorkshire Police has appointed its first woman chief constable.

Della Cannings, 49, is moving from the neighbouring Cleveland force, where she is currently acting deputy chief constable.

The mathmatics graduate has been a police officer for 27 years and will replace David Kenworthy, who is retiring at the end of the year after five years in charge.

Police Authority Chairman, Jane Kenyon, said she was convinced the right choice had been made.

Della Cannings has 27 years policing experience

She said: "The successful candidate must not only provide the right policing style for the people of this area but must also be the right calibre of person to lead the force and to develop it as a premier public service.

"We are convinced that Della Cannings is the kind of person to do both extremely well."

Ms Cannings beat 14 rivals to head the force, which covers England's largest county.

She said: "I am naturally very pleased that I have been appointed to lead this force.

"North Yorkshire Police has a fine reputation and David Kenworthy must take a lot of credit for that.

"I now look forward enormously to guiding this force through the many challenges that face the police service over the next few years."