LANCASHIRE'S Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw put himself at odds with his own party’s Shadow Home Secretary over the future of the £85,000-a-year elected job.

At Labour’s annual conference in Manchester yesterday, (TUES) Yvette Cooper said if the party won the general election in May, she would abolish the posts of PCCs.

Mr Grunshaw, elected as Labour candidate in November 2012, said: "I firmly believe Police and Crime Commissioners across the country have made significantly positive contributions to the communities they serve.

“Here in Lancashire we have done that on a budget far smaller than that of the Police Authority I replaced.

“I am an accountable figure residents can contact and share their concerns about policing with.

“This is in contrast to a Police Authority which, although hard-working, was largely anonymous.

“I have worked tirelessly with Lancashire Constabulary to ensure Lancashire remains a safe and peaceful place to live, in spite of the cuts.

"It was clear there were problems with the PCC elections in terms of public understanding.

“My hope is that whatever changes are made the PCC model will improve on the good work which is already happening, without wasting millions on transition costs.”