VALE OF YORK MP Anne McIntosh has written to Transport Minister Stephen Byers to demand the immediate payment of £900,000 owed to North Yorkshire police.

In a letter to Mr Byers, she said it was totally unacceptable that the force was still waiting to be repaid money spent in the wake of the Selby train crash.

She told the Evening Press: "The police did an admirable job in extremely difficult circumstances. They pulled out all the stops.

"They should not be left in a position where they are short of money - with reserves drained dry - through no fault of their own."

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

Earlier this week, the Deputy Chief Constable, Peter Walker, revealed that 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.

Ryedale MP John Greenway has written to the Government on two occasions asking for the cash to be paid.

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

Updated: 10:44 Thursday, January 24, 2002