LANCASHIRE’S police and crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw's decision to appoint a part-time deputy has been criticised by his Tory rival in 2016 Andy Pratt.

On Monday Labour's Mr Grunshaw advertised the £25,750 a year job just four years after he ditched the post along with those of three assistants including Blackburn's Saima Afzal.

Former police superintendent Mr Pratt said: "Clive Grunshaw should be looking after the interests of the police not himself and the how he does his job.

"His office continues to grow. He recently recruited a General Data Protection Regulation compliance officer at £40,000. This is all to the loss of front-line policing.

Cllr Afzal, since May the Labour councillor for Blackburn Central, said: "I would be interested to know the logic behind this new deputy commissioner post.

"If it is about increasing diversity in the office and connecting with grass roots communities in Lancashire, I would be in favour of it."

Mr Grunshaw said the 22.2-hours-a-week post was needed to help him ‘lobby government to challenge cuts and positively influence policing’.

He said: "To support my work, I need a strong team."

Blackburn Labour MP Kate Hollern and Cllr Ken Hind, Tory leader of Ribble Valley Council, have already criticised the move