A council has extended its deadline for applications for a new chief executive in a bid to maximise the number candidates considered for the role.

Breckland Council, which shares a joint senior management team with South Holland District Council in Lincolnshire, has been looking for a new chief executive since Trevor Holden left the authority in October last year.

Geoff Rivers, who was previously the chief executive of South Norfolk and St Edmundsbury councils, was given an initial five-month contract as interim chief executive and head of paid service.

The vacancy has since been advertised with the deadline for applications originally set for Wednesday this week. The deadline, however, has now been extended to 9am on Monday, January 27.

A Breckland Council spokesman said: 'We had feedback from a number of possible candidates who had not seen the advertisement until very recently due to the Christmas break.

'By extending the deadline we can ensure that the maximum number of suitable candidates are able to apply.

'This short extension will still allow enough time for us to meet the original recruitment timetable, with the Joint Appointments Panel meeting to make a recommendation to both Full Council meetings in February.'