Liverpool City Council is a step closer to selecting a new chief executive after finalising a shortlist of five candidates.

Speculation has been rife over the applicants, who reportedly include the Audit Commission's local government director Frances Done, Liverpool's acting chief Colin Hilton  and Thomas O'Brien from the World Bank. The successful candidate stands to land a package of around £200,000 a year. A council spokesman confirmed five names were in the frame for the high profile post, but refused to reveal who they were. ‘Interviews take place on 13 June and the council will be making a decision as soon after that as possible,' he told The MJ.