A HAMPSHIRE MP says one of the county's top shows is under threat from a "catastrophic" increase in the cost of policing the event.

Dr Julian Lewis, who represents New Forest East, has written to Hampshire Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan over the Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show.

Show bosses have been warned that the bill for policing the three-day event will rise to £12,000 a year.

Dr Lewis is urging Mr Kernaghan to intervene personally - and says he will raise the matter in Parliament if the issue is not resolved.

The MP said: "Since 1997 the cost for policing the show has increased four-fold.

"The police force is not a commercial business and shouldn't exploit its monopoly position to insist on unnecessary police numbers at inordinate cost."

Dr Lewis makes similar points in his letter to Mr Kernaghan. His letter adds: "I'm really concerned about the future viability of this event, one of the two most prominent shows in the New Forest."

The bill for policing the popular show has soared from just £840 in 1997 to a massive £3,374.

Dr Lewis's letter says: "Organisers have been told to expect this ratchet to continue to tighten until the horrendous total of £12,000 a year is required.

"Every extra pound which the police insist on extracting from this charitable enterprise is a pound taken from the pockets of charitable organisations which the show exists to support.

"It's not as if a heavy police presence is required.

"In recent years, so far as we have been able to check, there have not been more than one or two incidents - and in some years no incidents at all."

Hampshire Police says it has a duty recover public money expended on events such as the show.

A spokesman said: "The level of policing reflects the risks associated with the numbers of people attending the event."