B-52s flew more than 100 missions from Fairford during the war

Gloucestershire Constabulary's chief constable, Tim Brain, says it was the largest operation ever undertaken by his force, which lasted from January to spring.

The NATO-designated forward base for US warplanes was home to 14 US B-52 bombers during the Iraq war.

Peace protesters set up camp from February onwards, with many arrested over the course of the conflict for various offences.

Most of the �3m will come from the Home Office, but the county force will have to find �375,000 from its own reserves.

In March, the government awarded Gloucestershire Police a grant of �250,000 to help with the extra policing costs.

Armed patrols and officers from other forces around the UK had all been brought in to police the base.