MORE than 900 police officers from all over Lancashire have been posted to Blackpool this week to guard the Conservative party conference (October 10-14).

The £1million operation, commanded by Assistant Chief Constable John Vine, includes not only security patrols around the Winter Gardens and main conference hotels but sniffer-dogs and even cameras being lowered into drains to check for suspect devices.

Said Mr Vine: "Although there is an increased police presence in and around Blackpool, we intend to make sure that the social, commercial and domestic life of the resort is not unduly disturbed. This is a very important conference and as ever I would ask the public to remain alert and vigilant at all times and if they see anything suspicious they should report it to police as soon as possible."

Parking in some streets around the main hotels has been restricted, causing complaints from residents and shop owners.

Lancashire police authority receives a substantial grant from the government to help cover party conference costs, but some is paid for by the council taxpayer.

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