York and North Yorkshire will have more police officers than ever before in its history, it was announced today.

Nearly £3 million of extra funding will pay for 60 new officers for the force, beginning what the chief constable has hailed as a "new era" for policing in the county.

Improved staff morale and reduced sickness among officers are expected to be among the benefits.

The announcement was made today at a press conference at police headquarters at Newby Wiske by Chief Constable David Kenworthy and Baroness Harris, chairman of the Police Authority.

Mr Kenworthy said the additional funding would be provided from more than £2 million from the Rural Policing Fund, £801,000 from the Crime Fighting Fund, and a rise in the precept for the average North Yorkshire Council taxpayer of about 10p a week.

Mr Kenworthy said: "We have spent the last three years reorganising the force, cutting costs and examining work practices. We can now reap the rewards by investing this new money into police officers rather than simply using it to bolster the general budget."

Baroness Harris said: "North Yorkshire has a wonderful opportunity to have more officers than ever before.

"The people of the county have always supported our desire for more front line officers.

"Now we are asking them to support us once again and to share in our commitment to providing further officers to serve our community."

Mr Kenworthy said the increased strength would be of benefit to the force and the public alike.

He said: "Of course it will increase our operational capabilities and the quality of service but the additional officers will also enable us to implement the new shift system due in April this year."

Since the force was set up in 1974, the maximum strength reached was 1,408 officers in 1994.

In March 2000 there were only 1,284 officers - this will increase to 1,331 by March of this year with the new target set at 1,420 by March 2002.

The new officers will be a mixture of new recruits and transfers from other forces.

Bob Humpleby, chairman of the North Yorkshire branch of the Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said the announcement was "wonderful news".

He said: "It's been a difficult time over the last two-and-a-half years, but we have seen some benefits from these changes.

"The officers will be overjoyed with this announcement."

Updated: 15:01 Friday, January 26, 2001