The head of Cumbria's main police union says a pay rise for officers that breaches the public sector pay cap "doesn't go nearly far enough".

Martin Plummer, chairman of the county's police federation, said the move - announced by the Government today - was a step in the right direction.

But he said the staff association still stood by its request for a higher rise.

Prison officers will also get a rise beyond the one per cent public sector pay cap.

But the national prison officers' union said the pay rise was actually a pay cut in real terms.

Cumbria has Haverigg prison in the south of the county.

The Government announced prison officers would get a 1.7 per cent rise, while police will get a one per cent pay rise - plus a one per cent bonus for the year.

The announcement of the settlements came on the day UK inflation stood at 2.9 per cent.

Mr Plummer said: "It's bittersweet.

"We had resigned ourselves to the fact we were going to get a one per cent pay rise.

"We were very happy with the 2.8 per cent rise we had asked for.

"While it is a step in the right direction, it isn't going to bring police officers' pay in line with current inflation and the current cost of living."

He said there had been a "genuine and evidence based" request for a 2.8 per cent rise.

"Although we are pleased the one per cent pay cap has been removed, it still doesn't go nearly far enough," he added.

Steve Gillan, the general secretary of the prison officers' union the POA, said: "Inflation is running at 2.9 per cent.

"Anything below that inflation rate is a pay cut for our members.

"I have made it clear that it is a pay cut. It is not acceptable. Our executive will be looking to co-ordinate action with other trade unions."

PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS ATTACK PAY MOVE AS 'DIVISIVE AND WRONG'

Public sector unions attacked news of more pay for police and prison officers as "divisive and wrong".

Leaders of unions representing millions of workers said they will continue campaigning for wage rises.

Rehana Azam, national officer of the GMB, said: "We do not welcome this announcement, which is nothing but smoke and mirror politics that insults our public sector workers.

"Make no mistake, our members across the public services are angry after seven years of pay pinching by the Government.

"The idea that robbing Peter to pay Paul, raiding already-stretched departmental budgets, will solve this problem, shows Theresa May is living in a fantasy land, far removed from public opinion.

"It's divisive and wrong to make an announcement that excludes the vital support staff in the police and prison services who are subject to the same pressures as their colleagues.

"How will police and prison services cope without the extra funding they need?"

Unison general secretary, Dave Prentis, said: "It's a tiny step in the right direction but not nearly enough.

"For seven long years the Government's harsh pay cap has been hurting public sector workers, their families and the services they provide.

"There must be no selective lifting of the cap. No one part of the public sector is any more deserving than the rest.

"With inflation on the rise, the cap must go for everyone and it must go now."

Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: "Divide and rule will not deflect from the campaign to scrap the pay cap for all and that includes our members on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary down in the Caribbean dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma."