The authority has warned it may have to add �100 to council tax

A delegation met Police Minister Tony McNulty at Westminster following talks with local politicians.

Chief Constable Tony Lake has warned that the county's force faces a multi-million pound deficit.

The authority's chairwoman, Angela Crowe, said cutting the number of officers would be wrong, so taxpayers may now have to pay an extra �2 a week.

Ms Crowe said the minister recognised the difficulties the force was facing but "reminded us that we'd had our grant settlement".

She said: "I suspect taxpayers in the county may be disappointed if we don't get anymore money from central government but we still have another two and a bit weeks before we set our budget and we won't stop trying to get extra funding.

"We are determined to keep working until the 27th to make sure we get a decent police force for the people of Lincolnshire."