Richard Brunstrom says no male applicant has failed the test

Chief constable Richard Brunstrom took the test - normally for recruits - after the force's physical training instructor said it was inadequate.

He passed, reaching a level "well up into the top half for men."

Writing in his online diary, he said he now plans to introduce career-long re-testing to ensure officers stay fit enough to perform their duties.

In his blog on Thursday, Mr Brunstrom said he and deputy chief Clive Wolfendale both took the test.

He wrote: "I ended up with results well up into the top half for men, not bad for someone in their fifties - and slightly better than Clive.

"However it seems that we've never had a male applicant fail, and very few females. I really will have to question whether this test is set at the right level."

He added: "I have decided however, as a direct result, to move on something I've been meaning to do for years - career-long fitness re-testing, using this recruits' test as our starting point, to ensure that the whole organisation is sufficiently fit to carry out our job as a police force.

"This is not general practice in the service across the country, but I'm sure it's the right way to go, and the right time to do it.

"Watch this space for developments."