THE safety of residents in Hampshire lies in the hands of a temporary police chief from tomorrow as chief constable Andy Marsh leaves the force.

As previously reported, Mr Marsh quit Hampshire Constabulary after being chosen to fill the same job in Avon and Somerset, where his family lives.

For almost three years he has held the position as top cop in the county after impressing the police and crime commissioner Simon Hayes and then his panel of councillors and elected members.

But late last year Mr Marsh was announced as the preferred candidate for the role at Avon and Somerset, where he worked previously before moving to Hampshire.

And in an unusual twist, thought to be a first for a force in England and Wales, he will be in charge of his wife Nikki Watson, who currently holds the position of assistant chief constable there.

The matter has raised questions of his position being compromised, however his new police commissioner Sue Mountstevens has said measures will be put in place to ensure he is not her direct line manager.

Since his appointment as chief constable in 2013, Mr Marsh has led his officers and staff through a precarious financial struggle which saw tens of millions of pounds saved as police stations were closed, staff and officer numbers slashed and buildings sold off to save cash.

Only last year he warned the public, through an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, of the dangers of "sleepwalking" into a fresh round of multi-million pound cuts as the forced braced itself for more savings from the Home Office.

But those warnings proved unfounded when George Osborne surprised police chiefs in leaving them untouched in the October budget.

The huge task of finding a replacement for Mr Marsh is already underway and the Daily Echo understands that three preferred candidates have been identified.

Interviews will take place next month before an announcement is made on who is successful on March 11.

From tomorrow The force's deputy chief constable Graham McNulty will take over.

Police and crime commissioner Simon Hayes said finding the right person was vital.

He said: "With the constabulary undergoing significant transformational change, and facing unique pressures with regard to security and public safety, it is important to act without delay to ensure strong and stable leadership is maintained.

“Hampshire is a prestigious and well-respected force and I will be seeking the best person to lead the organisation.”