The volunteer officers are among the first in the UK to get a cash bonus.

They will get �1,500 in return for at least six hours duty each week, with further allowances made for training and annual leave.

A similar scheme already operates in Humberside, but the Durham force is the first in the North East to make a firm commitment to paying "specials".

A force spokesman said: "The bonus will be paid at a fixed date each year in the form of a lump sum.

"The proposal for a cash bounty was one of several measures put forward in a wide-ranging review of the Durham Special Constabulary, which went before the police authority last year."

Specialist training

To make better use of Durham's 90 "specials" they now report directly to the 13 community inspectors based across the force, and a database has been drawn up listing officers' skills and experience.

Home Office funding has also helped pay for the appointment of two recruitment officers, plus specialist training staff.

The force is looking to attract a further 60 volunteers, bringing the planned strength of the force to 150.

The force's specials' chief officer Geoff Knupfer, added: "A fresh look at the Special Constabulary in Durham was long-overdue and paying an allowance is something many of us have advocated for years."