New police trousers are too baggy and make officers look like clowns - that's according to at least one Sussex bobby who has to wear them.

The claim was made by Sergeant Neil Philpott who believes old-style trousers were bad enough.

He said: "They were notable for loose and baggy seats, which always look scruffy."

But when he received a pair of the new, lightweight trousers he found the problem in the rear had been transferred to the front.

Writing in the latest edition of the Sussex Police magazine Patrol, Mr Philpott, based in Crawley, said it created an "interesting balloon-style, prone to inflating at the slightest gust of wind."

Mr Philpott, noted by colleagues as a dapper dresser, asked why the force could not produce normal-fitting trousers and said: "How hard can it be for the police to order trousers that look normal?"

He cheekily suggested the force had resorted to buying "ex-clowns' trousers from Billy Smart's Circus."

He said: "Or am I wearing mine back to front by mistake?"

Sussex Police have responded by offering Mr Philpott a free fitting to ensure no more bulges in awkward places.

Gill Gillies, in charge of uniforms, said: "If he is that concerned then we will invite him to be measured up. The ones he has might be the wrong size."

Mrs Gillies said Mr Philpott was the only complainant she had come across since the new trousers were introduced.