A member of West Berkshire Council's Liberal Democrat cabinet, 49-year-old mother-of-two Mrs Hannon is noted for her no-nonsense approach, and will be in charge of policing the police - examining spending plans and ensuring top officers toe the line.

For every £7 West Berkshire hands over to the police in tax, the district only gets £6 back in policing, as the money is siphoned off for high-crime Reading and Slough.

Mrs Hannon has served on the 19-strong police authority for six years, but a member of Newbury police consultation group for 10 years.

She said: "I am delighted to have been elected chairman in what will certainly be an important year for the Authority and the Force, particularly as we move towards neighbourhood policing with the Challenge and Change project."

Aside from law and order, Mrs Hannon works for Newbury MP David Rendel at his Wharf Street office, and collects £11,000 a year as councillor responsible for our roads, buses, pedestrianisation, and car parks.