Kent's new police chief has been announced.

Ian Learmonth, 52, will quit his role as deputy chief constable for Norfolk police.

He has spent 34 years in various roles within police forces, ranging from Essex to Strathclyde police.

Mr Learmonth has been a serving police officer since 1976, beginning his career at Essex.

After a 28-year stint there, he joined Strathclyde Police in May 2005.

In his role as Assistant Chief Constable he had responsibility for support services, roads policing, emergencies planning and most of the major projects on operational policing.

He then joined Norfolk as deputy chief constable in July 2007.

KentOnline's Katie Lamborn speaks to the new Chief Constable

Ian was one of four candidates vying for the post, with a total of eight candidates applying for the job before a panel of Police Authority members drew up the shortlist.

Commenting on the appointment, Ann Barnes, chair of the Kent Police Authority, said: "I’m absolutely thrilled to have been one of the panel who chose Ian Learmonth to be the new chief constable.

"It’s been a tiring few days, but I’m sure we now have the right person for the job.

"Ian will bring a variety of skills and experiences that will complement the existing Chief Officer team.

"The Authority will be watching, and ensuring, that Ian works on behalf of police council taxpayers. At the end of the day we have to remember the police is a public service, paid for by the people of the county."

Talks will now begin with Norfolk Police Authority as to when Ian Learmonth will be able to take up the post of Kent Chief Constable.

New Kent Chief Constable, Ian Learmonth said: "I’m absolutely thrilled and delighted to have the opportunity to work within a high performing force.

"I’m really looking forward to taking up the post and working closely with Kent Police Authority. "

Mark Gilmartin, chief executive of the police authority, said Mr Learmonth's experience in Norfolk had particularly impressed: "At Norfolk he oversaw some huge peformance improvements, a radical restructuring in the way they delivered policing and some very, very significant cost savings - and in particular it's that element of his experience that appealed to the police authority.

"He's going to be a strong, visible leader. He's going to transfer a lot of his knowledge and experience from Norfolk and elsewhere.

"Put that in equation with the very, very strong performing force we are at the moment and we think we can really go places over the next few years."

He said the force had to make £20m of savings over the next three years, but also had a drive to improve the service delivered to the public.