ESSEX Police have been highlighted in a new report by the Plain English Campaign for speaking "ploddledygook".

The county's force has been picked out by the Plain English Campaign for two of the worst examples of garbled language.

Favourite examples include: * A statement on Essex Police's website quoting a police authority chairman saying: "We believe that we have a unique style of policing in Essex, where we strive to always put the customer first."

A campaign spokeswoman said: "Unique? Do they police in a completely different way to every other force?"

"Customers? Do the police really have customers?"

* An Essex Police press release headed: "Putting you First" and saying: "There are 47 police stations in Essex: 12 of which are open around the clock."

The campaign spokeswoman added: "The opposite of what most people would conclude. Isn't it saying, sorry, nearly 75 per cent of police stations are not open after 5pm?"

Essex Police were unavailable for comment.