POLICE officers in Bolton have overwhelmingly rejected the Home Office's new pay deal.

A total of 98 per cent of the Greater Manchester force's frontline officers who took part in the national ballot voted against accepting the proposed pay reforms.

More than 5,100 officers in the county visited the polls, a turnout of 71 per cent. It was one of the highest majorities returned in the country.

In neighbouring Lancashire, 83 per cent of officers also rejected the deal.

The package on offer will increase all pay scales by £400, make it easier for officers to rise up the scales and offer an extra "competence-related" pay tier offering a £1,002 bonus.

It also offers special payments to officers in difficult or specialised jobs, paying between £500 and £5,000 a year.

However, rank and file officers want the pay rises to be made across the board, rather than just in certain specialist areas.

Sgt Paul Kelly, chairman of the Police Federation in Greater Manchester, said: "The message is quite clear -- we equally value all our male and female officers.

"We don't believe anyone should be rewarded above another, whether you work in traffic, the custody suite or on the beat.

"If Mr Blunkett wants to give us what we deserve -- a reasonable rate of pay to reflect the work we do -- it should be the same for everyone.

"We are sticking together and are determined to fight these proposals."

A highly damaging stand-off between David Blunkett and the Police now seems inevitable.

Further talks will take place today.