POLICE chiefs have backed down over a controversial plan to change the date officers are paid after fierce opposition from bobbies.

Lancashire Constabulary has announced it will defer the change, just days after a meeting with the police federation, which represents rank-and-file bobbies.

The pay date, due to be switched from the middle to the end of the month from May, will now not be changed until April 2003.

The move would have meant officers going six weeks without money during the changeover. After the decision was announced the Lancashire Police Federation said it was disappointed the proposal had not been overturned completely but claimed a moral victory. The county force announced last month that the change in the way police officers and civilian support are paid would save £90,000 per year as part of a £3million cost-cutting package.

Officers complained they would struggle to pay direct debits, maintenance and child support payments.

When officers are paid under the new system they will receive wages for the four weeks they have just worked rather than the current system where they are paid for the two weeks they have just worked and the two weeks they are about to work.

The force promised an interest-free loan to help officers in difficulty as a result of the move and said the change was simply administrative. But many officers saw the plans as cost-cutting at their expense.

Federation chairman Steve Edwards said: "By standing together on this issue we have made the constabulary realise that they have to take into account our feelings and our concerns when making decisions that affect us. Hopefully this deferment will give officers sufficient time to plan for the change and to get their financial circumstances in order without being rushed."

He thanked federation members who had contacted him with evidence of how they would be affected by the change.

Ruth Henig, chairman of Lancashire Police Authority, said: "We took our decision only after consultation with the superintendent association and the police federation who made it quite clear that there was insufficient time to implement the change and expressed concerns about financial hardship."

Chief Constable Pauline Clare said: "I agree this is a contentious issue with police officers which is why we welcomed the opportunity to discuss the matter fully with the police federation. The constabulary is happy to implement the changes as agreed by the police authority."