A CHIEF constable will go before a police authority next week to explain the force's controversial purchase of company cars for senior officers.

North Yorkshire Police Authority has called for a report from Chief Constable Della Cannings, setting out the force's policy on providing vehicles for superintendents and chief superintendents.

The issue caused controversy last summer when it was reported that £250,000 had been spent on the vehicles. Harrogate MP Phil Willis criticised the decision, saying he was appalled that money was being spent on "luxury" vehicles when officers were struggling to patrol town centres.

But Ms Cannings said the purchase of the vehicles was part of an ongoing process to replace older vehicles and they were used as command platforms for senior officers attending major incidents.

On Monday, she will present a report on the issue to the police authority's strategic planning and best value board.

Authority chairman, Jane Kenyon said: "We are conscious that media coverage of this issue has raised more questions amongst the general public than it has answered. In an attempt to answer those questions, the Chief Constable readily responded to a call from the police authority for a report on the matter to be submitted to the authority at the earliest possible opportunity.

"The Chief Constable will put all the facts on the table which she is able to do and the authority will question her on them. Our intention is to put an end, once and for all, to the speculation around this issue."