A CASH crisis could leave Cheshire Police seriously under-funded next year, MP's have warned.

A shortfall of between £400,000 and £788,000 to Cheshire Police Authority's revenue support grant for 2002/2003 has prompted calls for immediate action.

Halton MP Derek Twigg and Weaver Vale MP Mike Hall are pressing for an urgent meeting with Home Office Minister, John Denham.

"Making our communities safer is one of our top priorities," said MP Derek Twigg, speaking from Westminster.

"For the police to be more visible and responsive they need more, not less cash.

"My constituents want more police on the beat. I totally support and agree with them."

Mr Twigg said his relentless campaign to increase police resources is beginning to bear fruit.

"More police officers are coming to Halton," he said.

"There is more money coming in. The police colleges are full.

"We don't want to see any step backwards. This has got to be an error."

Weaver Vale MP Mike Hall, said: "Spending on the police service has increased dramatically over the past four years.

"However, we do not want to see spending slip just because of a Home Office mistake.

"We have written to John Denham, the Minister responsible for police funding, pointing out the mistake and asking for a meeting with him to see if we can sort out this problem."