The chief constable of the Leicestershire police force in Britain has been chosen as the new head of the PSNI.

Matt Baggott will take over the role from Hugh Orde later this year.

Mr Orde is leaving the job after seven years to take on a new position as president of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Britain.

Mr Baggott was chosen from four candidates yesterday following an interview process by the Policing Board.

The married father-of-three has been a police officer for more than 30 years, including 20 years with the Metropolitan Police in London.

He will now have the task of tackling an upsurge in dissident republican violence at a time when the PSNI's budget has been slashed by £120m for the coming years.

He will probably also have to manage the devolution of police and justice powers from London to Stormont, though a date has yet to be set for the transfer.