The new chief constable of a Welsh police force has said he needs an extra 120 officers to bring the force up to full strength.

Terence Grange - who took over the post at Dyfed-Powys Police in March - said the �3m needed to pay for an initial 70 new officers is now long overdue.

He also wants to re-open village police stations.

He is calling on the Government to come up with the cash urgently - to put more officers back on the rural beat - in villages throughout Mid and West Wales.

It was following the conviction of the Norfolk farmer Tony Martin, for murdering a burglar, that the Government once again acknowledged the need for additional funding to help combat countryside crime.

But so far, the �5m promised to Welsh forces is yet to materialise.

If and when it does, it is isolated communities, mainly in Dyfed Powys and North Wales, which will benefit.

It's expected the Home Office will make it's rural police funding announcement next month - but even if the cash is available quickly - it could still take up to two years to recruit and train new officers.