An investigation has been held into whistleblowing at the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service following the recent departure of the chief fire officer Stewart Edgar.

Gloucestershire County Council says whistleblowing concerns were raised around the culture within the service and it will be addressing these.

Mr Edgar resigned from the fire service last month. At the time the county council said a complaint had been made in relation to the disposal of a fire service vehicle. An investigation was held and the council stated that it identified poor judgement by the chief fire officer which he acknowledged.

The county council said deputy chief fire officer Andy Hermiston will act in the chief's role until a permanent appointment is made.

Pete Bungard, chief executive of Gloucestershire County Council said: "We are extremely proud of our fire and rescue service. The outcomes the service achieves continue to be incredibly positive.

"Not only do we have the lowest number of accidental fires ever, but the scale of preventative activity positively impacts on a significant number of the most vulnerable people in Gloucestershire, particularly the more elderly.

"I will be looking for Andy to bring a different style to the leadership of the service, which, now with the ultimate responsibility for delivery of this, I believe he can do."

In the UK employees have the right to 'blow the whistle' on alleged wrongdoings in the workplace.

The county council said: "A number of whistleblowing concerns were raised around the time of Stewart Edgar's resignation, all of which have been  appropriately investigated.

"Some weaknesses were identified around financial and governance processes, but that is all. The council's audit services will continue to work with Andy and the service to develop stronger process, where this is necessary.

"Whistleblowing concerns were also raised around the culture within the service. Peter Jones, former Chief Fire Officer (until 2006) and former County Council Deputy Chief Executive (until 2015), looked into these. Peter has spoken to a significant number of colleagues and whilst the culture is by no means broken work on the culture of the service is needed.

"The process for recruiting a new Chief Fire Officer will begin in September."

Brent Thorley, South West regional chairman of the Fire Brigade Union, said the matter would discussed at a meeting between the union and the county council next week.

He said fire service staff were "extremely concerned" by the matter and still needed reassurances.

"They (FBU members) are very unsatisfied," he said: "There has been a complete lack of transparency in the whole investigation. It is a public service. They are accountable to the public."