Colchester's hospital trust has failed to appoint a new chairman after holding interviews with potential candidates.

The trust is looking for a new chairman to replace Dr Sally Irvine, who will step down this month after four years in the post.

Vice-chairman Peter Wilson will take over on a temporary basis until a new chairman is appointed.

Interviews with candidates were held last week, but governors at the Colchester Hospital University NHS Trust have decided against making an appointment.

The announcement was made during the trust’s annual members’ meeting today.

Dr Irvine said: “The governors’ decision to re-advertise the post of board chair should not be taken as any kind of comment on the abilities or commitment of the people who applied for the post.

“We are very grateful to all of those who put themselves forward.

“However, the governors are very clear about the particular mix of skills and experience they are looking for and they feel that a further search would enable the trust to find exactly the right candidate.”

Mr Wilson, who has been a non-executive director of the trust since May 2011, will chair board meetings until a replacement is found.

He has worked in engineering and manufacturing sectors for a range of UK and US companies.

Mr Wilson is also a trustee of the Harwich Mayflower Project and chairman of the Friends of Dedham Church.