IT'S all change for North Yorkshire police in their central area - at least for the next ten months.

Superintendent John Lacy, operations commander, will be taking over as temporary chief superintendent from January.

The change comes about because the area's commander, Gary Barnett, has been selected to attend the police service's strategic command course.

Superintendents from across the country compete for places and only those who have completed the course can rise to the highest ranks in the service.

Mr Barnett will leave for the National Police Training College, in Hampshire, in January and Supt Lacy will take over until November.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Barlow, the central area's crime manager, will take over as temporary operations manager.