POLICE officers are being investigated for allegedly accepting free cups of tea while on duty.

The Cheshire bobbies are accused of having complImentary drinks and meals at the Road Chef Service Station, at Hapsford, on the M56, just outside Ellesmere Port.

Bosses of the county force have ordered an investigation into their alleged conduct, which could be deemed to breach rules.

It is not known how many police officers are being investigated but some unconfirmed reports claim there are 15, including four inspectors and 11 sergeants.

Cheshire police spokesman Ian Cuthbertson said: 'This investigation is at an early stage and no officers have been suspended.'

Road Chef at Hapsford cannot see the problem in giving passing officers the occasional free cup of tea to keep them warm.

A spokeswoman for the restaurant said: 'At Road Chef, we are happy to offer courtesy teas and coffees to the police as an act of goodwill.'

And the probe was branded 'non-sense' by Norman Brennan, a London policeman who runs the Victims of Crime Trust pressure group.

He said: 'It's good community policing and it provides a reassuring, visible presence.'