THE TOP job at Blackburn with Darwen Council is being advertised this week carrying a salary of around £150,000.

The race is on to find a replacement for the chief executive Phil Watson, who retires in the autumn.

Today leading politicians said it would be difficult to find a replacement, but that paying the high salary was a price worth paying if the candidate was up to the job.

The adverts are appearing in a national newspaper and the local government trade magazine, with a closing date of June 26.

Two to three weeks later a shortlist will be drawn up for interviews, with panels of senior councillors.

It is hoped a decision will be made by late July, or early August.

But it is thought that because the council is classed as excellent' the number of applicants may be small as the job could be seen as a poisoned chalice because the only way is down! So it may be a case of headhunting candidates.

David Schwarz, of recruitment specialists Rockpool, who are handling the recruitment, said the candidate would not necessarily have to come from a public sector background, but would have to be able to demonstrate the right abilities to lead the organisation.

Coun Kate Hollern, leader of the council, said it was crucial Mr Watson's replacement continued the good work done in the borough in the past decade.

The salary reflected the extra responsibility of running a unitary authority, which had more powers than a borough council, and was thought to be "the going rate".

Tory leader Coun Colin Rigby said: "I don't think £150,000 is too much.

"If we want somebody to carry on at that level we have to bite the bullet and pay it, as long as we get results and someone that performs."

Possible internal candidates include Graham Burgess, the executive director of regeneration, who has overseen the gradual regeneration of Blackburn with Darwen.

The borough's other executive director, Harry Catherall, is also respected for his role in helping social services and education merge and evolve.

Steve Weaver, chief executive of Blackpool Council, is an outside bet for the job.