CHIEF Fire Officer Frank Swann was today due to be interviewed to become the county's permanent top firefighter.

Mr Swann has been acting chief since April after Paul Woods was taken on secondment to the Fire Protection Association to work on national projects.

Mr Swann was being interviewed following news Mr Woods will retire after completing his extended secondment in September next year.

He is the first person to be interviewed for the top job by Notts Fire and Rescue Authority's appointment committee.

If successful he will be recommended to the next meeting of the authority in December, who will decide whether or not to appoint him.

If he is unsuccessful other people will then be interviewed for the position.