MORE than 200 off-duty Gwent Police officers were marching in London today in protest at a recent pay deal offered by the Government.

Police are disappointed with the government for not backdating a 2.5% pay increase in Wales, England and Northern Ireland - but the Home Secretary says the delay is necessary to meet inflation targets for public sector workers.

PC Jeff Mapps, Chairman of the Gwent Police Federation said he was impressed by the sheer volume of officers attending the rally.

"I have been really impressed by the strength of feeling shown by Gwent Officers," PC Mapps said.

"We have got 230 out of only 1,500 officers in Gwent boarding buses to London that's a remarkable number of people," he said.

"People with days off are going and people have specifically booked days off to go, we've also had tremendous support from officers who can't attend the march because they have to work."

The rally has been organised by the Police Federation and PC Mapps says it is the only way Gwent officers - who will join up with their fellow colleagues from across England and Wales - can express their upset, as they are not allowed to form a union or strike under UK law.

"As police officers we are effectively banned from taking industrial action," he said.

"We hope by doing this we can persuade the Home Secretary to reconsider her position and we can re-enter negotiations."