GREATER Manchester Police has appointed the force's first female Assistant Chief Constable.

Chief Superintendent Justine Curran, aged 39, the Divisional Commander for Greater Manchester Police's North Manchester Division, was appointed by governing body, the Greater Manchester Police Authority Chief Superintendent Dave Thompson, aged 38, has also been promoted to Assistant Chief Constable.

Ms Curran started her career with GMP as a police constable in Wigan in 1989 and, following a spell with Merseyside Police, she returned to the force in 2003.

Ms Curran was educated at St Bede's RC High School in Manchester. She has a degree in Classical Studies from Hull University and an MA in Police Management.

She is originally from Sheffield, lives in Wigan and is married with two children.

Ms Curran said: "It is wonderful to have been appointed as the first female Assistant Chief Constable and I am looking forward to continuing to work in such an exciting and challenging police force."

Mr Thompson, the Divisional Commander for Greater Manchester Police's Metropolitan Division, has been with GMP for nearly 17 years.

He joined the force after graduating with a law degree from the University of Liverpool.

Mr Thompson, originally from Middleton, now lives in Stockport. He is married with two children.

He said: "I am pleased to take up this position. It has been a great honour to serve the people of Greater Manchester.

"I am looking forward to working with our men and women to deliver a world class police service."

Both officers take up their posts immediately.