A quarter of a million pounds was handed to Kent's Special Constabulary in a ceremony last night.

Ann Barnes, the county's police and crime commissioner, presented the money during an attestation evening at the Kent Police College in Coverdale Avenue, Maidstone.

The extra funding will be used to help recruit and train more volunteers and to mark the occasion a symbolic cheque was granted to Gavin McKinnon, chief officer of the Kent Special Constabulary.

At the event special constables were also given their warrant cards for the first time.

Ann Barnes said: “I’m delighted to make this important investment. The men and women who volunteer to help police our communities usually have a day job, yet they find the time, for free, to help out and to keep everyone safe.

"I take my hat off to them. The Specials are ordinary people doing an extraordinary thing. They stand shoulder to shoulder with their colleagues in the regular force.

"That’s why I have invested heavily in the scheme.”

Chief officer McKinnon said: “This is a very welcome investment in Specials. It shows that volunteering and community activity is taken very seriously in Kent.

"It recognises the unique contribution that Special Constables can and do make by devoting their time to helping others in the community, improving the quality of life in Kent, and providing outstanding public service.

“If you have ever been interested in policing and voluntary service there has never been a better time to apply to join us - it is one of the very best ways to give something back to your community through helping protect and keep people safe.”

The Special Constabulary is made up of 350 officers and last year gave 64,000 hours of voluntary policing.

Special Constables have the same powers as their regular colleagues and carry out a full range of operational front line duties.