LANCASHIRE police could have a chief constable for the first time in two years, by the end of March, it has been revealed.

And the acting chief Steve Finnigan could also be a shock contender in the running for the post after previously being ruled out due to national guidelines.

Since Paul Stephenson left in February, 2005, to become deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan police in London, Lancashire Constabulary has been without a permanent leader.

Four candidates were interviewed for the £128,751-a-year post in April, 2005, but none were found to be suitable.

Then when the force was looking to merge with Cumbria, police authority bosses decided there was no point in filling the role until that project was completed.

As a result, Mr Finnigan was promoted temporarily from deputy to acting chief constable while the merger process was ongoing.

And he has been praised for his work by police authority bosses.

But now the proposed merger with Cumbria has been scrapped, the force has re-started the hunt for a chief.

An advert for the post is being published next month, with a closing date of early February.

Interviews will take place at the end of March.

If a suitable candidate is found, the appointment is expected to be made right away at the end of the interviews.

And Mr Finnigan could be able to apply after all. He was previously barred from applying because of the rules which state a candidate must fulfill the requirement of serving at assistant chief constable (ACC) level in another force.

Mr Finnigan has not served at ACC rank for another force, but a report to the Lancashire Police Authority hints this rule maybe waived.

The report says: "The Home Office had decided that the current requirement regarding chief constables having to serve at least two years in an ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) role in another force should be amended to allow it to be waived in exceptional circumstances."