Police are planning to pay people from ethnic minority groups £100 a day to help improve stop-and-search training.

They want volunteers from ethnic and sexual minority groups to take part in police training sessions.

The move comes in the wake of the McPherson Report into the death of black teenager Stephen Lawrence, who was murdered in London by knife-wielding thugs.

Volunteers have been paid in the past to encourage them to attend the training sessions.

Chief Inspector Stuart Harrison, deputy commander of Hove police, now wants to increase the pool of minority volunteers taking part.

He has upped the fee for the full day session from £25 to £100, including lunch.

He said: "One of the things police forces generally have been criticised for is the use of stop-and-search powers.

"We are now looking at improving our methods and want to hear from minority groups or individuals who would like to give us their advice.

"We will be holding about 20 training days and are looking for two or three people to take part in each."

The move is part of a city-wide drive to protect and improve the rights of minority groups.

Earlier this year an Anti-Victimisation Unit was launched in Brighton and Hove by BBC Crimewatch presenter Nick Ross.

It was set up to deal with domestic, racial and sexual harassment cases.

The idea is to encourage victims of homophobic and racial attacks and domestic violence to report incidents.

In the past many attacks had gone unreported because victims believed nothing would be done.

Anyone who would like to take part in the sessions should call Matt Cowling at the training unit at Hove police station on 0845 6070999.