Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in Frinton and Walton could be set to work after midnight and during busy bank holiday periods.

The officers in the resorts do not currently work on bank holidays or at night, but Walton police is calling on Frinton and Walton Town Council to pay towards the cost of providing the service.

Some councillors are hitting out at the police for asking the council, which already part-funds the PCSOs, to pay even more towards the cost of policing.

PC Rob Diss asked the council's crime and disorder working party whether it would consider bearing some of the cost.

Mayor Terry Allen said officers could be on the beat as early as the next bank holiday on Monday if councillors decide to go ahead with the proposal at a meeting tonight.

"The reason we have been asked to do this is because bank holidays are non-working days for PCSOs, but the local police have seen a need for them to carry on working," he said.

"We're looking at having the community support officers on during the bank holiday and we will have to pay an extra cost, but I don't think the cost will be exorbitant.

"Because we are a resort we need community support officers to work at the busy times, otherwise it would be like running a restaurant but closing for lunch.

"In Frinton and Walton people congregate in certain areas at night and revellers don't want to go home after a hot summer evening.

"We don't want to stop them enjoying themselves, but we don't want them to disturb anyone else's peace and tranquillity."

Nick Turner (Con, Frinton) said he will oppose the proposal because the council should not be forced to meet the extra cost.

"It's outrageous," he said. "We are already funding the PCSOs and the police should not keep asking for more money.

"I do support having PCSOs but people already pay for the police in their rates, so the town council should not also have to pay."

Bob Richmond, clerk, said the additional cost could be contained within the council's existing crime and disorder budget.

It is thought an estimate of the cost will be ready in time for tonight's meeting.

A police spokesman said the town's PCSOs begin their duties early in the morning and can work past midnight if there are operational reasons to do so.

"At the moment we are in discussions with the council over plans to have two PCSOs working on Friday and Saturday nights past midnight to deter anyone from committing antisocial behaviour," he said.