VISITS by members of the Royal family and other VIPs to North Yorkshire cost more than £200,000 each year - almost £6,000 per visit.

Senior police officers have been asked to account for the cost of hosting Royals and high-profile guests as part of a drive to tighten budgets.

New police figures reveal that the total estimated yearly cost of salaries, training, equipment and vehicles will reach £210,000.

In the past six months, there have been 11 Royal visits to North Yorkshire and six visits by VIPs. The average cost of each of the 34 annual visits is just over £6,000.

North Yorkshire Police bosses insist that Royal and VIP visits bring "prestige" to the county and have a "positive impact" on communities.

Chief Constable Della Cannings said officers liaise with the Lord Lieutenant, Buckingham Palace, Government offices and the organisation being visited.

She said the Royal Family made "frequent" visits to the county, which involve varying degrees of public engagement.

North Yorkshire Police officers, among them highly-trained armed police, are responsible for venue security, protection duties, transport and maintaining a visible police presence.

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "As part of the transparency of policing in North Yorkshire the Police Authority has asked for costings of several aspects of policing the county.

"VIP visits are one of these areas. The force is proud to host VIPs and Royal visits, and we believe they bring prestige and have a positive impact.

"As with all aspects of policing there is a cost element, but the force believes this is money well spent."

Bill Baugh, who was meeting today with other members of the county police authority to discuss the costs, said there was a responsibility to scrutinise force costs.

He said: "It's not surprising people want to come to this part of the country and we have a duty to make it safe for those who live here and those who visit."

North Yorkshire Police employs 15 VIP protection team officers in the Firearms Support Unit, including three sergeants and 12 constables.

Royals and VIPs are also assigned a personal protection officer who travels with them at all times and is paid by the Metropolitan Police.

Updated: 10:25 Monday, September 13, 2004