HOME Secretary David Blunkett has pledged to press Government transport chiefs after learning that North Yorkshire Police is still waiting for Whitehall to foot the bill for the Selby train crash.

Speaking exclusively to the Evening Press, Mr Blunkett said he would take up the matter with the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) to ensure cash shortages do not affect policing in North Yorkshire.

Last week, Peter Walker, the county's Deputy Chief Constable, revealed how the £900,000 cost of policing the accident had eaten into reserves normally set aside for another major accident or a lengthy murder inquiry. He warned that any further major incident could force the police to cut essential services.

The police say they are entitled to be reimbursed by the Government, under an initiative known as the Bellwin Scheme. But 11 months after the tragedy which killed ten people, the force is still waiting for the vital cash.

Now Mr Blunkett has assured officers he will be taking up the matter and aims to contact North Yorkshire Police as soon as possible.

The Home Secretary said: "My attention has not been drawn to the shortfall arising from the Selby crash.

"I am aware of the pressures upon North Yorkshire police, partly as a result of September 11.

"For Menwith Hill and Fylingdales (extra policing) we allocated an additional £700,000. We have done our bit at the Home Office to make sure the people of North Yorkshire are not disadvantaged by pressures on the police authority and the police service.

"I will check with the Department of Transport to see what's happening with any claim they may have received arising out of Selby and will contact North Yorkshire police as soon as possible."

The assurance was welcomed by Mr Walker, who said: "We are grateful to the Evening Press for its assistance."

The news was warmly greeted by Selby MP John Grogan who had previously attacked the delays.

John Greenway, Conservative MP for Ryedale, said: "This news is encouraging, I believe he will do what he says. However, someone in the Home Office has known about this. Someone is not doing their job properly.

"I hope all this means the police will get the funding sorted out this week."

Updated: 11:20 Friday, February 01, 2002