THREE former chief constables of Avon and Somerset Police have called for Nick Gargan to leave the force.

In a letter sent to Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens, David Shattock, Steve Pilkington and Colin Port said that Mr Gargan should leave to restore confidence in the force.

The trio led the force for 25 years between them and the letter follows on from the news that the current chief constable looks set to be handed eight final written warnings.

Mr Gargan was cleared of gross misconduct but was found guilty of eight counts of misconduct.

Ms Mountstevens said details cannot be made public yet about the misconduct charges.

Mr Gargan recently returned to work after being suspended in may 2014 following allegations made against him by female staff members He will appear at a sanction hearing before Ms Mounsteven's on August 19.

In the letter to Ms Mountstevens, Mr Shattock, Mr Pilkington and Mr Port said they have been "confronted with incredulity" that Mr Gargan could continue to hold his position after the findings.

The letter adds that "many in the force do not welcome the return of the chief constable with any degree of confidence or enthusiasm.

"It is incomprehensible to us that a chief constable with such a large number of substantiated misconduct findings on his record could be respected as a leader and maintain the morale of the force," they said.

"It is our professional view that confidence cannot be restored without a change of chief constable."

Responding to the letter, Ms Mounstevens said: "I have read the letter from the three respected former chief constables of Avon and Somerset and I take their concerns regarding Mr Gargan very seriously as I do with everyone who has contacted me.

With regards to the hearing later this month she added: " I have received the independent misconduct panel’s report, which means I can now hold a sanction hearing with the chief constable.

"The report is 90 pages long and I am considering the panel’s views and recommendations thoroughly ahead of the sanction hearing.”

The misconduct panel’s report recommends the sanction of eight final written warnings.

Mr Gargan returned to work on national policing projects last month after originally being suspended in May last year.

Former officers and the Police Federation have criticised the decision to allow him back.