Police funding for next year will not be as low as feared, but Thames Valley Police could still struggle without extra grants.

The force is to get a three per cent increase in its Government grant for 2003-04.

Ministers said this would be sufficient to ensure better pay and conditions, more bobbies on the beat, and the implementation of a new police radio system.

But Thames Valley Police Authority, which manages the budget, said it was disappointed with the three per cent increase which would not cover inflationary pressure and existing spending commitments.

Assistant treasurer Ian Thompson said: "It's better than we feared, but not enough at this stage."

Thames Valley Police will receive £206m from the Government.

But that still means an increase in the force's share of council tax of about 39 per cent, or £28.45 for a Band D property, to meet its £259m spending plans.

The Government said the settlement covered a pay and conditions package agreed earlier this year.

But Mr Thompson said increased salary and pension bills were a major financial pressure on the authority, and it would be looking for the Government to announce extra grants.

However, the force emphasised the tight budget would not mean cuts in the number of officers.

The force's increase is less than the total increase nationally of 6.2 per cent.

London's Metropolitan Police is to get a five per cent rise.

Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "This spending package for Thames Valley Police builds on the substantial cash investment we have put into policing."