LANCASHIRE’S cash- strapped police authority is calling on the English Defence League to reimburse it for the cost of policing its demonstrations.

Around £500,000 was spent staffing the April demo in Blackburn, described as the county’s biggest ever operation.

And last weekend the police were again called on to keep the peace and prevent disorder in Blackpool at another costly EDL rally.

Authority member Tony Jones said the EDL and similar groups should be treated like football clubs who pay the local force to oversee their games.

He is concerned that by footing the bill, local people could end up losing vital police services, including bobbies from the beat.

And at a time when every penny counts, with the force having to make £42million of savings over the next four years, such bills put a huge strain on the police.

But like any other political party, the EDL does have a right to hold peaceful protests.

And it is important that freedom of speech is not curtailed just because of cost.

The most sensible solution would be for the Home Office to have a separate budget for policing these rallies to ensure the people of Lancashire don’t miss out.