LANCASHIRE Police has axed the free newspaper it delivers across the county in to save money.

Police bosses blamed the demise of the force newspaper, Newsbeat, on "increasing budget press-ures."

They said the £48,000 spent publishing Newsbeat twice a year could be better spent elsewhere in the force.

More than 500,000 residents received the last copy this week.

It was started as a joint venture between Lancashire Constabulary and Lancashire Police Auth-ority in 2003.

Its aim was to reassure the public on ways in which Lancashire tackled crime.

Police authority member Coun David Whipp said: "It was felt the £48,000 could be re-directed.

"That amount of money would pay for an extra police officer and a half.

"I think it served the purpose for which it was intended, which was to keep the public informed and help reassure them.

"There are now other means of keeping people updated such as through the Police and Community Together Meetings, the internet, newspapers like the Lancashire Telegraph and via the local policing summary, which has to be produced by law annually.

"Our intention is to make it as newsy' as possible to effectively illustrate what's happ-ening in the force."

The newspaper was established after local people asked police to help make them feel safer and more reassured.

It contained information about a wide range of policing schemes from across the count and was delivered to 614,000 households.