A new media chief is being recruited jointly by Kent Police and crime commissioner Ann Barnes on a salary of up to £75,000.

The decision to create a role for a joint PR chief for the force and the commissioner comes after the commissioner agreed to pass on responsibility for the police press office to the chief constable Alan Pughsley.

She was urged to do so after a watchdog committee expressed concerns the press office, which handles operational matters and liaises with the media, could be used to promote her work and role.

The Kent and Medway Crime Panel said she should relinquish responsibility following her disastrous fly-on-the-wall TV documentary “Meet The Commissioner.”

Now, however, what will be a hybrid role will see a new head of communications work for both the commissioner and the force - raising concerns about the appointed person serving two chiefs.

The recruitment advert says the post-holder will “devise, implement and embed a joint communications and engagement strategy for Kent Police and Crime Commissioner.”

It adds that the person who become the Head of Communications and Community Engagement will have to manage “the nuanced and sometimes differing needs of the force and the crime commissioner.”

The successful candidate will also be required “to enhance the public image and reputation of both organisations" and be "politically astute" with "strong media management and negotiation skills."

Interviews for the post are scheduled to take place next month.