THE deputy chief constable of Hampshire police was today expected to be unveiled as the favoured person to take up the top job of running the force, the Daily Echo understands.

The county's new police and crime commissioner Simon Hayes was due to make the announcement that he would like Andy Marsh to take up the position of chief constable later today.

However it does not mean Mr Marsh, who has been serving with Hampshire since 2010, will automatically take up the post of chief constable next month when the current police boss Alex Marshall leaves.

As reported, Mr Marshall announced he was leaving the force last year to take up a chief executive post with the new National College of Policing.

The proposal will have to go before the new police and crime panel who will either reject or ratify it by the end of this month.

If he is successful he will receive a salary of £146, 521 - five per cent less than Mr Marshall due to budget cuts. He will also not receive performance-related bonuses, but he will be entitled to claim expenses, up to £40,000 for an official car for travel on duty and a relocation allowance if necessary of up to £35,000.

Liverpool football fan Mr Marsh has been his deputy since September 2010 when he came to the county from Avon and Somerset police, with a salary of £124,083.

He is also the country's lead police officer for firearms and shotguns and advises the 43 forces in England and Wales on how to grant, revoke and renew more than 700,000 gun certificates which currently exist.

Mr Marsh, who joined as Hampshire police prepared to make more than £20m in cuts, has also been the lead for Hampshire's force change programme which included a mammoth review of how the constabulary could be remodelled and streamlined to be sustainable for the future.

Mr Hayes made his choice from a shortlist of four applicants he had selected.