The allegations refer to the behaviour of the off-duty officers on a coach trip to a charity golf match.

A member of the public among about 50 people on the coach with the officers reported the eight officers from Thanet to their superiors.

Kent Police said it is taking the matter seriously, even though the officers were off duty at the time.

'Racism not acceptable'

Chief Superintendent Robert Chidley said an allegation that a racist joke had been told on the coach had been found not to involve a police officer.

Racism is not acceptable by anyone within society, but even more so I think for ourselves Chief Superintendent Robert Chidley

He said: "The bottom line for us is that Kent Police take very seriously allegations of poor behaviour.

"If then you add to that any allegations or suggestions of racist behaviour, then we take that extremely seriously.

"We just will not tolerate it," he added.

"Racism is not acceptable by anyone within society, but even more so I think for ourselves."

A senior officer from the Professional Standards Department has been appointed to investigate the claims.

The racism allegation comes less than a week after the Commission for Racial Equality said it was to launch a formal inquiry into all 43 police forces in England and Wales.

The move follows the broadcast of a BBC documentary exposing racism at a police training college in Cheshire.