KENT police chiefs are demanding the Government refund nearly quarter of a million pounds it spent fighting controversial merger plans.

The force successfully contested plans to amalgamate it with neighbouring forces in March this year.

But it was forced by the Home Office to draw up three separate business cases as part of the process before being told it should become a stronger, strategic force instead.

The Home Office recently abandoned the merger plans completely.

Chief constable Mike Fuller and Kent Police Authority chairman Ann Barnes have now written to the Home Secretary asking for the money - some £243,445 - to be reimbursed, saying it is wrong for the Kent taxpayer to pick up the tab.

The money is the equivalent to the yearly cost to Kent Police of five police officers.

Mr Fuller and Mrs Barnes say the police was forced to co-operate with the process. In their letter, they write: "In view of the fact that we did not have a choice as to whether to compile the business cases, we are obliged to recover the substantial costs incurred."

They also highlight how the "incredibly short timescales" affected day-to-day policing work, with key staff diverted to attend essential Home Office and regional meetings.

The money the force wants refunded has two main elements. About £150,000 was paid to consultants to identify how to increase the number of police officers in specialist operations protecting the public, without transferring that cost to the council taxpayer.

The consultants were also asked to identify savings without affecting front-line policing. An additional £91,403 was estimated to have been spent drawing up alternative plans to remain an independent force.

The figure excludes some incidental costs that were also incurred.

Mr Fuller said: "Being forced to prepare business cases in an unreasonably short amount of time with no opportunity to consult was not just a big distraction from our normal busy work schedule but it also created insecurity and uncertainty among officers and staff at Kent Police.

"Ultimately, the process led to needless expense which we are determined to recover."

Mrs Barnes added: "Kent taxpayers should not be short changed. We spent a lot of money and time on winning our case to remain as Kent Police."