Norfolk's temporary chief constable has nailed his colours to the mast and said he wants the job full-time after it emerged the county's top policing post was to be advertised within days.

Simon Bailey has been Norfolk's interim chief since June, when he took over from Phil Gormley who left after three years in the role to take up the post of deputy director general of the National Crime Agency.

But Mr Bailey, who has served with Norfolk Constabulary for more than 25 years, said he has been 'proud' to be interim chief but insisted he wanted to take on the position full-time, saying it would be the pinnacle of his career.

Mr Bailey said: 'I will apply and would obviously hope to be successful because I believe I can carry on making a difference to Norfolk. I understand the county, I understand the organisation and I believe I understand what our communities expect from the constabulary.

'We've shown ourselves to be market leaders over the past five years or so and I've been part of that. I want to continue to be at the heart of that but not so much a part of it but actually leading it.'

'It would be the pinnacle of my career, there's no doubt about that.'

Mr Bailey, who started his policing career as a PC in King's Lynn in 1986 and rose through the ranks to deputy chief constable in 2010 said: 'I understand the challenges we face in the future.

'I understand the strategic direction of travel and have a good working relationship with the officers – which is really important.'

Mr Bailey's signal of intent comes as Norfolk's police and crime commissioner, Stephen Bett, announced he was ready to commence the process of appointing a replacement chief constable with the post being formally advertised next week.