BURY police have given the thumbs-down to police reforms.

They have joined police officers in England and Wales voting 10-1 against the proposals, sending a stinging rebuke to Home Secretary David Blunkett over his plans for pay reform.

Prestwich Police Station was one of eight polling stations in the Greater Manchester area.

The result of the vote also comes as the powerful Police Federation examines ways of overturning their 83-year-old strike ban under the European Convention on Human Rights.

In an unprecedented ballot of rank-and-file officers, from constable to chief inspector, 84,205 officers (91 per cent) voted to reject new pay and conditions. Just 8,059 officers (nine per cent) voted to support the measures.

The most common reason cited for the "no" vote were plans to reduce overtime pay from time-and-a-half to time-and-a-third.

The second key reason for the pay deal rejection was insufficient detail in the package, while lack of trust that bonuses and special payments would be implemented was cited as their third main objection.

A spokesman for the Police Federation of England and Wales said: "Our members have spoken forcibly.

"It is very clear that our members were determined not to accept measures that were divisive, would value some officers more than others and leave thousands of front-line colleagues worse off.

"The police federation, David Blunkett and police authorities must now come together to work our proposals that will be acceptable to the service."

Despite the massive vote against the reforms the Home Secretary is to go ahead.