FORMER Ely mayor and district council leader Brian Ashton could net �28,000 a year for two to three days work a week as the deputy to Cambridgeshire’s new Conservative police and crime commissioner, Sir Graham Bright.

The role of commissioner’s deputy is not elected and the nomination will have to be approved by the county’s Police and Crime Panel, headed up by fellow Conservative Cllr Mac McGuire.

According to the office of Sir Graham, the post of deputy will not politically restricted and will be based at the police and crime commissioner offices in Cambourne.

Mr Ashton will be “required to travel around Cambridgeshire and beyond. He will be required to work flexibly two to three days per week for a payment of �28,000 per annum.”

Mr Ashton was leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council in 2007 and has twice been mayor of Ely, in 1991 and 2011.

He has also chaired the Primary Care Group in East Cambs and has been president of the Elysian Riding for the Disabled, chairman of the Ely Citizens Advice Bureau and member of the council of St John Ambulance in Cambridgeshire. He was also made an honorary vice-president by the British Red Cross in Cambridgeshire.

Sir Graham said: “I firmly believe that Brian has the experience, skills, knowledge and abilities to perform this role to the high standard required for the people of Cambridgeshire.

I look forward to receiving the panel’s recommendations on this appointment.”

Sir Graham’s proposal will be considered by the Police and Crime Panel at a confirmation hearing on December 6.