An MP has criticised a legal loophole which is leaving Sussex Police with an above-average bill for pension payments.

Almost £30 million of the force's annual budget is being swallowed up by pension payments.

A growing number of officers are moving to the coast for the final years in the job.

But a loophole places the burden for pension payments entirely on the force in which an officer served at the time of retirement.

This is costing Sussex 16 per cent of their £183 million budget, draining cash away from recruitment and fighting crime.

The largest inquiry the force has carried out so far, the investigation into the death of Sarah Payne, cost £2 million.

Nationally, forces spend an average of 13 per cent on pension payments.

Lewes Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker has called for a shake-up of the pension rules after the high figure for Sussex was revealed in a written answer to a question raised in Parliament.

Mr Baker, a Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesman, is now urging the Home Secretary David Blunkett to introduce a new system.

He has pledged to raise Sussex's case in the Commons when the Police Reform Bill is debated later this year.

Mr Baker said: "Pensions are a great unspoken problem which are diverting much-needed funds from the front line.

"Police officers who have served their communities well deserve a decent pension but it should not affect front-line policing.

"Police forces should pay a percentage of the pension dependent on how long an officer has served in that area.

"The burden should not fall entirely on the force they are serving when they retire."

Mr Blunkett said the Government had accepted police reform was necessary.

He is expected to publish proposals for change later in the year.

No one from Sussex Police was available for comment yesterday.