By Johnny Caldwell BBC News

The PSNI says cases are dealt with on merit

Ulster Unionist Basil McCrea said the figure was so large that it could not come out of the police budget.

"The only people that have the resources to bail this out is the Westminster government," he said.

Mr McCrea said this was a legacy of past troubles and these were not fraudulent claims.

But the expected bill was of concern for the NI Policing Board and could only be sorted by the Northern Ireland Office and Westminster, he added.

"It is a matter of great concern to us that this should be tackled," he said.

Mr McCrea was speaking as new statistics showed that almost �3m in compensation had been paid in just 12 months to serving and former officers.

Since last September 269 claims have been settled, totalling �2,926,424.

Over 120 officers, mostly former, have successfully sued for hearing loss - with resultant compensation ranging from �100,000 to �5,000.

The biggest individual award (�224,426) involved an officer injured in a car crash while on duty.

Others related to everything from a defective shower mat at police premises (�2,500) to tripping on a cordon tape (�1,750).

A male officer was awarded �5,000 after being struck by a venetian blind and window frame

One officer was awarded �4,000 after alleging he was "unlawfully subjected to a breathalyser test".

Another received �500 more (�4,500) after he developed "ENT (ear, nose and throat) problems" due to poor ventilation in police vehicles.

One female officer got �3,000 for stress suffered "as a result of a transfer", while a male colleague was awarded �5,000 after being "struck by a venetian blind and window frame".

Other successful claims involved alleged sexual and religious discrimination and damage to officers' personal property.

A police spokeswoman said: "The PSNI treat each case individually and deal with them on their own merit.

"It is not our policy to discuss the details of such cases."

The details were obtained using the Freedom of Information Act.