POLICE Federation bosses are taking legal advice after Lancashire Constabulary announced changes in the way officers' wages are paid in a bid to maintain services.

And they claimed the morale and welfare of staff was at risk as the force bids to save £90,000 per year as part of a £3 million cost-cutting package.

From May, wages will be paid on the last day of the month instead of in the middle. This means that officers will not be paid for six weeks from April 15 to May 30, leaving many struggling to pay direct debits, maintenance and child support payments.

The Constabulary has promised to help any officers in financial difficulty as a result of the action with an interest free loan to tied them over.

Chief Constable Pauline Clare promised cuts to services in December when the Constabulary's funding increase of 3.1 percent was less than the amount needed for pay and price rises for the second year running.

And altering the pay date is seen as a way to contribute to these savings without damaging services.

It will save money as the Constabulary will earn more interest on the funds given to them to pay wages.

They receive these at the start of the month, so it will be left in the bank for four weeks instead of two.

This is expected to accumulate to £90,000 over the course of a year and will be used to maintain frontline services.

Steve Edwards, chairman of the Police Federation for Lancashire Constabulary, which represents rank and file, agreed the Constabulary was forced into the move, but said he hoped it would have a change of heart.

He said the federation made their objections clear when the decision was taken to alter the pay date at a meeting last month.

"We vehemently opposed the proposal, indicating that morale would be affected, that officers would be up in arms about the decision, and that we were concerned for their welfare and financial situation," said Mr Edwards.

"We are now seeking legal advice to see what we can do about it.

"I suppose it is good that they did not make anyone redundant, but I think doing this in the current climate, with police coming under the spotlight of reform, is not an ideal time.

"We will continue to air our views in any arena we can."

One officer with 15 years of service said: "We are all having to change our standing orders and direct debits and some of my colleagues are facing difficulties over payments of maintenance to ex-wives or the Child Support Agency payments."

A Lancashire Constabulary statement read: "The Constabulary acknowledges that some officers may face difficulties in this period -- such as re-scheduling the payment of direct debits and other monthly outgoings -- and has therefore made arrangements to offer financial assistance in the form of interest-free loans to bridge the two further weeks between pay dates.

"Staff associations made representations to retain existing arrangements but the decision was that the change was in the best interests of the whole Constabulary."