BURY is to have its first-ever female police chief on Monday.

Chief Superintendent Janette McCormick will take over as head of the divisional police force and will be responsible for approximately 315 full-time police officers, 80 civilian staff including 20 police support officers and 35 specials.

She has spent the last eight months as a superintendent in charge of operations in Bolton

She replaces Chief Superintendent Garry Shewan who has been Bury's Divisional Commander since January last year. He has now been promoted to an Assistant Chief Constable with Cheshire Constabulary.