LANCASHIRE residents an average £24 a year extra on their council tax to pay for the county's police.

The increase - 46 per pence a week on a Band D property - was approved on Monday.

It was agreed by one vote by the special panel of councillors overseeing the work of Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.

Proposing the rise for 2019/2020, he promised it would pay for 90 new officers.

Mr Grunshaw said: “I’d prefer the increase to be fully-funded by the government, but given the opportunity to defend the service, it would be grossly negligent not to. I understand we’re asking for a significant increase, but we are able to offer the people of Lancashire something for their investment.”

He promised to invest £4.6m on a 40-strong neighbourhood policing taskforce spread 'evenly' across the county, 30 investigations officers and 20 tactical operations staff to deal with organised and cross-border crime.

Lancashire County Council's Tory leader Cllr Geoff Driver, a panel member, called for a smaller rise at the meeting.

Ribble Valley Borough's leader Cllr Stephen Atkinson said: "Our residents deserve their fair share and under this deal they are not likely to get it yet will still be paying through the nose.”

Lancashire's county and borough councils have yet to agree their council tax rates.