PCSOs are here to stay in Frinton and Walton after town councillors agreed a major £180,000-per-year deal to keep them.

Frinton and Walton Town Council has been locked in discussions with Essex Police after cops pulled the plug on match funding the area’s community officers.

The council agreed to stump up £180,000 each year to fully fund its six PCSOs and keep them in the area.

A contract has now been agreed with police chiefs and is set to be signed.

Town councillors made the decision in a behind-closed-doors meeting last week.

Mayor Iris Johnson said: “We voted to fund the PCSOs ourselves and have informed the superintendent of our decision.

“It is exciting news and we are very pleased to get this sorted out, and delighted for our residents.

“They deserve to have effective policing in our area."

Read the full story in this week's Frinton & Walton Gazette, out now.