THE hunt for a new £105,000 boss at Worcester City Council kicks into overdrive tomorrow - with 10 hopefuls being grilled at the Guildhall.

An entire day has been set aside to interview candidates for the all-important job of managing director, with the city's political leadership anxious to find a replacement for Sheena Ramsey.

The Worcester News can reveal how 27 people applied for the job since it was advertised in December, with bosses creating a 'longlist' of 10.

Tomorrow's gruelling session will see them questioned by a panel of seven councillors including the city's Labour leader Cllr Adrian Gregson and his Tory counterpart, Cllr Marc Bayliss.

A shortlist will then be drawn up and invited for in-depth interviews on March 22, before the successful candidate is recommended to full council for a vote on March 28.

They will be paid between £105,000-£108,000 - the same salary Ms Ramsey was on - and face some of the most significant immediate challenges in the council's history.

It comes at a time when £2.2 million needs to be saved over the next three years, as well as a switch to the committee system of political leadership in May.

Cllr Gregson said he is looking for someone able to "hit the ground running".

"We're looking for someone with dynamism and commitment who can hit the ground running, as we've got a lot of things on the go," he said.

"We've been lucky in the past because we've had managing directors who have been attracted to the city and can see the clear benefits of being in Worcester and want to drive it forward.

"We're in a difficult place with our finances and need somebody who can help us achieve savings, and work well with partners and investors to help get the economy going."

Cllr Bayliss added: "I'm looking for someone who can help bring people together, commands respect across the political divide and will help us deliver our vision in the City Plan."

Green Councillor Louis Stephen will be among those sitting on the panel.

Trevor Holden, the chief executive of Luton Council, has been drafted in to help offer an independent view of the candidates.

David Blake, the city council's £73,000-a-year economic regeneration chief, is now in overall charge on a temporary basis until a new managing director can be found.