EIGHT former police officers have been told they can keep a £25,000 'windfall' paid to them because of a police pensions error.

Retired officers have been receiving over-the-odds payouts because constabulary accountants failed to modify their pension plans when they reached the statutory retirement age.

The loss to the force as a result of the mistake, which has been made repeatedly since November 1985, is estimated at around £25,000.

But the amounts the eight former bobbies, now aged between 70 and 88, have received range from just £8 to £29 per month.

Police payroll bosses say the amount should be written off rather than recovered from those concerned. However, the eight's pensions have been modified since the start of this month so that the discrepancy no longer exists.

Diane Walmsley, payroll manager, says in a report to Lancashire Police Authority’s resources committee, said: “The overpayments occurred because these pensions should have been reduced when the individual reached state retirement age.”

She insists that accounting procedures are now more robust and the mistake, spotted earlier this year, will not be repeated.

Police chiefs admit the blunder has had to be handled “sensitively” given the ages of the eight involved.

The oldest pensioner retired in November 1975 and the ‘youngest’ in May 1980.

She added: “The Chief Constable has therefore written to the pensioners affected by the reduction.

“And, at the same time, he has informed them that the overpayment will not be recovered from the individuals concerned.”

Eight of the 10 cases relate to mistakes made up to 24 years ago but the remaining two occurred in 2002 and 2003.