HOME Secretary David Blunkett has written to all Lancashire police officers urging them to support proposed pay reforms at this week's national ballot.

More than 100,000 officers across the country will go to the polls on Wednesday to vote on whether to accept radical changes to the pay structure.

Changes include cutting the overtime rate, a bonus payment of £400 and the introduction of performance-related pay.

In a letter to officers Mr Blunkett promised he was committed to increasing investment in the service and that all the money saved by the changes would be ploughed back into pay.

He wrote: "We believe this agreement will, taking account of all the elements of the package, leave the vast majority of officers better off.

"I am determined that reform will help you do your job better, slimming down bureaucratic ways of working, sweeping away obsolete rules and giving you the rewards you deserve."

The Police Federation has urged all officers to vote and says its policy on the changes will be determined by the outcome of the poll.

Chairman of the Lancashire Federation Steve Edwards said: "t is important that officers express their views at the ballot."

The results are expected on February 25.