A new Chief Fire Officer has been announced after the current chief gets promoted.

Hertfordshire County Council's new Chief Fire Officer Darryl Keen will start his position from April after Roy Wilsher, the current chief, is seconded to take up a national role as chairman of the National Fire Chiefs Council after 12 years at Hertfordshire.

Mr Keen, the current deputy chief,will be responsible for managing an integrated department that brings together Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue service, Trading Standards, Emergency Planning and a joint Community Safety Unit run with police.

He said: "I am looking forward to taking up my new role at a very exciting time for UK fire and rescue services and Hertfordshire in particular.

"The legacy that Roy has left is a very strong one and I look forward to continuing the delivery of excellent service to the people of Hertfordshire."

Mr Keen joined Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service as Assistant Chief Fire Officer in 2011 and has been deputy chief since 2015. He previously worked for both Buckinghamshire and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Services.

County Cllr Richard Thake, in charge of community safety, said: “While we are sorry to see Roy Wilsher leave, his appointment to this high-profile national role is a testament to the excellent work he has done as Chief Fire Officer and director of community protection at Hertfordshire County Council. It is a great reflection on Hertfordshire that Roy’s peers believe his experience here makes him the best person to represent and coordinate the UK’s fire services nationally and work with central government to help deliver the Home Office’s programme of fire reform.

“We are delighted to be able to appoint Darryl Keen as the new acting director of community protection. He will provide the leadership and experience the directorate needs as it continues to evolve and I look forward to working with him to keep the people of Hertfordshire healthy and safe.”

Mr Keen will take up his new role on April 1.