Sussex's boys in blue are turning to silver to save money, and it's farewell to the traditional white patrol cars.

Sussex Police are buying cars in the new metallic colour because it's more popular and has a higher resale value.

By the end of the year a fifth of all force vehicles will be silver, although all the cars will still carry the familiar Sussex Police livery.

Fleet manager Dennis Ord said: "We've already taken delivery of the new Ford Focus in silver and more will be arriving during the year.

"Other forces have been buying silver for some time and we think it is best practice for Sussex.

"Ordering metallic silver doesn't cost us any more but in five or six years, when the cars are sold through auction, they should fetch more."

The colour and shape of police vehicles have changed dramatically over the years.

In 1992 PC John Levin was still driving a 1956 black Austin A30 which had no heater and used old-fashioned indicator signals. It originally cost £600.

Three years later the force took delivery of the first check-patterned police cars.

The Volvos, each costing £20,000, were considered more eye-catching.

BMW estate cars were introduced for traffic police officers in 1998 to replace Vauxhall Cavaliers which had been used since 1993.

Earlier this year, Sussex Police began testing their first Smart car, the unusual-looking two-seater which does 80 miles to the gallon.