TWO former Thames Valley Police officers are in the running to become the boss of the biggest force in the country.

Former chief constable Sara Thornton and Cressida Dick, who served as a superintendent for a brief period in the region, could become the first ever woman police chief in London.

The search has been launched to replace Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, who is to retire as Metropolitan Police Commissioner.

And Ms Thornton and Ms Dick are among the front-runners for the £276,000-a-year job, with applications set to close in the New Year.

The candidate who is successful will be responsible for more than 43,000 police officers and civilian staff and an annual budget of £3.5billion.

Ms Thornton, who has chaired the National Police Chief's Council since 2015, started her policing career at Scotland Yard.

She moved to Thames Valley Police in 2000 and became chief constable in 2007.

Meanwhile, Ms Dick, is a director-general at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. She was once Britain's most senior female police officer.

The appointment will be made by Home Secretary Amber Rudd in consultation with London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Diane Abbott, shadow Home Secretary, told the I newspaper she was pleased that women were in the running for the job.

She added: "As in other areas of public service, the appointment of a woman to the top position would be ground-breaking. 

"We are ready to break this glass ceiling."

It is understood other contenders for the job include Stephen Kavanagh, chief constable of Essex, and assistant commissioner Mark Rowley.