LANCASHIRE police are to get more than £70,000 to help recruit 75 extra special constables over the next three years.

The cash boost has been welcomed by local MPs as an important move in the fight against crime.

Home Office minister, Hazel Blears, today announced that England and Wales' 43 police forces were to share £2.5million to kickstart a campaign to recruit an extra 3,000 special constables.

The money is to pay for dedicated staff and trainers to attract more volunteers into the uniform and to ensure that they are properly prepared and stay in the job.

The move should bring the total number of specials across the country to 14,000 by March 2007.

Lancashire Police is to receive £70,000 with the aim of getting an extra 75 specials. The number of volunteer bobbies in the county has fallen from 483 to 351 in the past six years. Specials - civilians who work as part-time policemen - provide visible and reassuring police presence, as well as link the force closer to the community.

Foreign Secretary and Blackburn MP, Jack Straw, said: "This is excellent news.

"Specials play a key part in helping the fight against crime and involving the community more in the work of the police."

Ribble Valley Tory MP, Nigel Evans, added: "It is good news but it is really just putting back some of the specials we have lost in recent years.

"To be honest, 75 is not a lot of volunteer officers but it will help."

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice added: "Splendid! The more special officers we can get the better. They play a vital role in getting more officers visible on the streets and also get communities involved in the fight against crime and disorder.

"Anything we can do to recruit more specials for the Lancashire police must be done."

And Labour counterpart and Hyndburn MP, Greg Pope, said: "This is great news. It will but more bobbies on the beat. Specials do an excellent job supporting regular officers."

A police spokeswoman said: "Volunteer special constables are a crucial part of modern-day policing.

"Some forces are more successful than others in recruiting and retaining specials, which is why the numbers have fallen and why we need this money to attract, and then hold onto them."