Merseyside police are to have to find nearly 300,000 pounds to pay for policing the visit to Liverpool by US Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice.

But, with communities already needing more bobbies on the beat, Lib Dems believe the government should find the money.

Lib Dem City Council leader Warren Bradley has written to current Home Secretary Charles Clarke to say that, as it was the government which invited the US politician to Liverpool, sparking demonstrations and a huge police operation, it is the government that should pick up the bill.

"This bill would pay for another 10 police officers for Liverpool" Councillor Bradley says in his letter.