ESSEX Police will share the force's helicopter with their colleagues in Kent as part of a new project.

The helicopter will still be based in Chelmsford, but will be sent out to incidents in both counties in order of priority.

Trials of the scheme led to £86,000 worth of stolen cars being recovered in Kent, after the helicopter tracker picked up a signal while flying over Southend, in January this year.

Essex Police Chief Constable Roger Baker said: "Air support is a primary crime fighting tool and we are delighted to be able to work with Kent on this collaboration project."