POLICE cars could soon be carrying the names of companies as force bosses try to make extra.

The sponsorship plan is one of a number of revolutionary ideas to be implemented by the force as they look for new ways to raise cash to help the fight against crime.

The force is to employ a new commercial development officer who will be charged with bringing in more than £1 million a year in revenue through areas such as grant aid from Europe and sponsorship.

Currently the county's police force brings in just £60,000 from sponsorship - much less than the £1.8 million it is allowed to raise every year.

Included in the ambitious strategy is a proposal to allow companies to pay to have their logos on the side of force vehicles.

The decision to introduce the new policy comes after a lower than expected budget increase from the Home office towards the £182 million cost of policing Lancashire every year.

A Hutton-based police spokesman said: "Sponsorship and the selling of appropriate police services are all being looked at."

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