Police officers are being offered free bus rides provided they help out if trouble breaks out on board.

Talks are also under way with rail companies to provide free train travel as part of a campaign by Sussex Police to encourage officers not to leave and join the better-paying Metropolitan Police.

The county's 3,000 officers and 400 Specials will be able to jump on and off anywhere in Brighton and Hove by producing their warrant cards whether they are on duty or off.

In return, they would make themselves available to assist if problems occur.

The initiative, the first of its kind in Sussex, may be extended to other parts of the county and talks are already going ahead with other bus operators.

A six-month pilot scheme is under way at Gatwick enabling officers at the airport to travel on the Gatwick Express on production of their BAA pass.

Roger French, managing director of Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, shook hands on the bus agreement with Sussex Police Chief Constable Ken Jones this week.