A decision on the next chief constable for Northern Ireland has been delayed as the Policing Board continues its discussions.

The board interviewed three candidates for the post on Wednesday and a decision on Sir Ronnie Flanagan's successor was expected by 1800 BST.

However, the decision is not now expected for several hours following the completion of the interviews on Wednesday afternoon.

The post is regarded as one of the toughest jobs in the policing world.

Alan McQuillan: Belfast commander

The first to be interviewed at the board's offices was Assistant Chief Constable for Belfast Alan McQuillan.

His interview started an hour late at 0930 BST because one of the panel was late.

The protest at Holy Cross school and the street violence in north Belfast have regularly put him on television screens.

Alan McQuillan joined the RUC in 1976 as the first graduate entrant under the accelerated promotion scheme.

He rose quickly through the ranks to become a superintendent in 1990.

He left the RUC in 1995 to become assistant chief constable in the Gwent Constabulary in Wales before returning three years later at the same rank.

Controversial aspects

He was followed by the deputy assistant commissioner with the Metropolitan Police, Hugh Orde, who is leading the investigation into the murder of the Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.

Hugh Orde: Finucane investigation

Mr Orde joined the 'Met' 25 years ago when he was in his late teens and at 43, has now climbed to the rank of deputy assistant commissioner.

His investigation into the Finucane killing has given him a close-up look at the most controversial aspects of policing in Northern Ireland.

Mr Orde, 43, has been examining how Special Branch functions.

Three independent members

Finally it was the turn of Chris Albiston, another senior officer with the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

He recently took charge of Special Branch and CID.

He is a modern history graduate of Exeter College, Oxford, who joined the Metropolitan Police in 1975.

Mr Albiston transferred to the RUC in 1989 and was appointed deputy sub-divisional commander in Lisburn.

Chris Albiston: Served in Kosovo

He progressed through the ranks until he became an assistant chief constable in May 1998 when he took over responsibility for management support.

In January 2001, Mr Albiston took on a high-profile role when he served as Police Commissioner with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo.

Management support

The decision on who should succeed Sir Ronnie is down to eight members of the Policing Board.

The interviewing panel includes chair and vice chair Professor Desmond Rea and Denis Bradley, as well as three politicians and three independent members.

The final decision has to be endorsed by the secretary of state.

The final appointment must be approved by John Reid

One board source described the competition as "a genuine three-horse race" which could come down to a photo-finish.

The province's acting chief constable, Colin Cramphorn, has not applied.

He is looking for a job elsewhere and has recently been interviewed for six chief constable posts in England and Scotland without success.

Fermanagh woman Maria Wallis, who had been talked about as one of the favourites to succeed Sir Ronnie Flanagan, withdrew from the race in Northern Ireland after her recent appointment to the chief constable post in Devon and Cornwall.