Scotland's police watchdog has recruited its first former chief constable as a member.

Amid continued criticism over scrutiny of the national force, the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) appointed George Graham, one the last heads of Northern Constabulary, to its board.

Mr Graham, an experienced officer who also served in Dumfries and GFalloway and who was HM Inspector of Constabulary, is one of three new appointments.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson also put HR expert Nicola Marchant and accountant Elaine Wilkinson on to the board as he bids to make more effective at holding the force to account.

The SPA was set up in the year before Police Scotland went live in April 2013. Members include former police officers but it has never had anyone with hands-on experience of policing leadership.

Mr Matheson said: "Two years in is the right time to strengthen the Board and complement the skills and experience of the current members, as we embark on this next phase of reform which will deliver a truly integrated and transformed single service.

"I am pleased to be able to appoint George Graham, Nicola Marchant and Elaine Wilkinson. They will bring further energy and expertise. I am sure they will all make an excellent contribution to the governance of Scottish policing in the years ahead."

Scottish Police Authority Chair Vic Emery said: "We already have a broad range of knowledge, experience and skills within the SPA board and these new colleagues will add to that in the fields of policing, people, and finance."

The appointments also helps to gende3r balance the board, meaning six of its 14 members are women.

Ms Marchant has more than 20 years' experience in the global pharmaceutical industry, a global HR professional, and leading public policy at FTSE 100 company AstraZeneca.

Ms Elaine Wilkinson has widespread experience in Northern Ireland where she was a senior civil servant and policy lead on its organised crime task force.

She was also responsible for the province's police's "normalisation agenda" in response to political developments.

All the other members were appointed for four years in 2012. The SPA is responsible for overseeing Police Scotland and its £1bn budget.