WILTSHIRE'S Chief Constable Dame Elizabeth Neville cancelled a press conference on Thursday after hearing that the Government's financial settlement was higher than expected.

The press conference had been called in response to speculation that, following the Government's grant announcement last Wednesday, many local authorities would have to make hard choices to balance their books without making huge increases in council tax.

Dame Elizabeth, supported by police authority chairman Bertie Woolnough and director of finance Roy Denning, was due to discuss how the financial settlements will affect not only Wiltshire, but also other forces in the region.

It is thought that the 3.3 per cent increase in grant is more than Dame Elizabeth was expecting and would not impact on police services in the county.

They are likely to receive £60.574 million from the Government, this is £1.922 million or 3.3 per cent more than last year.

But much of that money is designated to go towards paying for the new Air Wave police radio project, which is due to come on line in Swindon early next year, and then be rolled out across the county.

A report on the financial implications of the settlement will be presented to the police authority's finance committee on December 8.

Meanwhile a press conference to mark a number of long service and other awards went ahead on Friday.

Two Marlborough officers won awards for working with the peace keeping force in Bosnia for one year.

PC Ben Braine, who was based in Pewsey for a number of years, and WPC Jacqueline Simon were presented with the European Security and Defence Policy Service medals for their service in Bosnia at a ceremony at Wiltshire Police headquarters in Devizes.

Other long service and good conduct awards were presented to: Salisbury Division, PC Derek Ford and PC Steven Shepherd; Melksham Division, Det Sgt Dave Martin and PC Clive Carey; Swindon Division, DC Jeff Allison and PC John Lawton; operations crime section, Det Ch Supt Paul Howlett, Sgt Mark Evans, DC Bob Carver and DC Tim Harkness; HQ section, Insp Duncan Mason.

Chief Constable's commendations were: Salisbury division, PC Simon Woodrow (also Royal Humane Society award) and Constable Roland Jones (also RHS award).

The good conduct medals were presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Sir Maurice Johnston.