POLICE in Lancashire are flying high after a £1million government cash boost for a new helicopter.

The Home Office announced on Tuesday that Lancashire was one of just four police forces in the country to have been granted the money.

The funds will mean that the police will be able to upgrade its helicopter, to carry on the seven days a week, 24-hour-a-day air support. The new helicopter should be up-and-running by 2003.

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said: "We are still in discussion with a helicopter manufacturer and have yet to place an order but we are expecting to do this very soon.

"The new helicopter will meet the increasing requirements of modern policing as well as the necessary safety requirements whilst ensuring the highest level of support to front line officers."

Lancashire is one of 39 police forces in the country to have air support, and the new funding will also help upgrade copper-choppers in Merseyside, South Yorkshire and Essex.

The decision was originally announced at a meeting of the Police Authority last month, but the funding was confirmed this week by Home Office minister John Denham.

Mr Denham said: "As part of the police reform agenda we are committed to ensuring that the police is equipped with the latest technology in its fight against crime.

"This £1 million for Lancashire air support unit will help further to expand the force's crime fighting capabilities and save them many hours in the drive to combat crime. Efficient use of air support, across force boundaries is continuing to detect and prevent crime."