LANCASHIRE Police Authority is looking for independent visitors to check on the welfare of people in police custody.

Independent custody visitors scrutinise the treatment of detainees and the conditions in which they are held and should have no direct involvement in the criminal justice system.

Police authority magistrate members, Gail Stanley, said: "Our independent custody visitors provide a vital source of information on the environmental and welfare conditions in which detainees are held.

"They are an extremely important link between the authority and the police because they help the constabulary to demonstrate a commitment to transparency and openness."

Successful applicants will be given full training and complete a probationary period before making random visits to police stations in pairs.