ONE more major incident could force North Yorkshire police into cutting essential services - because Whitehall has still not footed the bill for the Selby train crash.

The county's Deputy Chief Constable, Peter Walker, says the £900,000 cost of policing the accident has eaten into reserves normally set aside for another major accident or a lengthy murder inquiry.

The police are entitled to be reimbursed by the Government after incidents such as the train crash, under an initiative known as the Bellwin scheme.

But almost 11 months after the disaster, it is still waiting for the money.

Mr Walker warned today that it means a murder probe or major event will eat into the normal budget, which in turn will cut the amount of money spent on policing.

"Even the cost of policing York City through the FA Cup - especially if they draw a major league club at home (after the Fulham match) - could have a heavy impact.

"We have lobbied them to speed up the process, but we are still waiting," he said.

MPs today attacked the delays and said the Government must pay up now.

"This matter has been in the Home Office in-tray for far too long," said Selby's Labour MP John Grogan.

"I shall be making strong representation to the Home Secretary David Blunkett this week to pay up so that North Yorkshire can make their financial plans for the next financial year."

Ryedale Tory MP John Greenway branded the Government delays "outrageous", saying: "I have written to the Home Office twice now asking them to settle the bill, but I've had no response.

"There is no way a police authority can afford to police a major incident like this on its own. North Yorkshire is suffering as a result of their delay.

"What makes it worse is that on the day of the accident John Prescott stood up in the Commons and praised the actions of the police - now this."

More than 900 police officers were involved in the Selby tragedy, in which ten people lost their lives.

The Bellwin Scheme has worked in the past for North Yorkshire police - enabling it to regain the money spent as a result of the floods of 1999 and 2000.

A Home Office spokesman said the matter was being handled by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR).

A DTLR spokesman said the matter was "under consideration".

Updated: 10:52 Monday, January 21, 2002