EAST Lancashire MP Gordon Prentice wants the Royal Family to have to pay for policing in the same way as football clubs have to do.

The Pendle Labour MP raised the issue with Home Secretary David Blunkett in the House of Commons as he outlined what happened on Saturday when comedian Aaron Barschak gate-crashed Prince William's 21st birthday party at Windsor Castle dressed as Osama bin Laden.

After Mr Blunkett made clear action would be taken to step up security following the lapse at the weekend, Mr Prentice told him: "We're all relieved nothing terrible happened at Windsor. What is the cost, however, of policing these Royal events?

"We are not talking about any old Royal event, but a fancy dress party.

"If football clubs in North East Lancashire or agricultural shows in my constituency are charged for the cost of policing such events, is it not right that the Royal family or invited guests to Royal fancy dress events reimburse the police for the extra cost of this additional security?"

Mr Blunkett replied: "Arrangements are in place to deal with what falls as a private cost and what falls to the public purse in terms of security for those in the public eye.

"We must have a sense of proportion. It is nice for a young man to have a 21st birthday party and to be able to do so in safety."

But after the Commons exchange Mr Prentice said: "I still don't know how much the police operation cost, but some of the cash should be recouped from the Royals.

"I am sure the Royals will want to pay their share of an increased security costs which are involved when the police are guarding their private parties."