The four-day manhunt cost more than �1m

The Home Office grant will also help cover extra costs in tackling a string of major incidents last year.

The hunt for suspects in two separate killings - Robert Boyer and Terry Rodgers - took place in the same woodland last August.

The search was the largest-ever launched by Notts Police and involved officers from eight forces.

This money will be put to good use to further increase the force's capability in tackling major serious and organised crime Deputy Chief Constable Howard Roberts

The massive team, including a specialist dog unit, spent four days searching in and around Annesley Woods looking for Boyer and Rodgers. Both men were found and subsequently charged.

Police authority chairman John Clarke said: "We invested in a successful operation and this money acknowledges the special circumstances behind our request."

Deputy Chief Constable Howard Roberts said: "This was an exceedingly difficult and challenging search operation brought to a positive conclusion by the expertise of Nottinghamshire and other officers.

"This money will be put to good use to further increase the force's capability in tackling major serious and organised crime."

Guilty pleas

Boyer, 43 of Skegby Road, Annesley Woodhouse, was wanted in connection with the murder of 62-year-old Keith Frogson, who was found dead in July 2004.

He was found by police in a camouflaged shelter covered in bracken and foliage in a part of Sherwood Forest.

Boyer later pleaded guilty at Nottingham Crown Court to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility and was sentenced to a hospital order for an indefinite period of time.

Rodgers, 56, originally from South Normanton, Derbyshire, was wanted for questioning over the death of his daughter Chanel Taylor, who was found dead at her house in Huthwaite.

He was arrested and charged with her murder.

Rodgers has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is due to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on 12 September where psychiatric reports will be considered.