North Yorkshire’s new police and crime commissioner has pledged to press ahead with plans to move a force’s headquarters from a 17th-century manor house to a modern base nearby.

Julia Mulligan said although officers had made initial studies, her proposal to move the base for 450 staff at Newby Wiske, near Northallerton, remained in its early stages.

At her first press conference since being elected with a 54 per cent share of the 14.3 per cent turnout, she said she would develop a business case for the move in the next two months and that it would remain in Hambleton district.

Mrs Mulligan said she would focus her energies on appointing a chief constable for the force and unveiled plans for a Victim’s Charter.