MP John Glen has raised concerns over the cost of Wiltshire Police's investigation into allegations of historic sexual abuse involving Sir Edward Heath.

In a letter to chief constable Mike Veale, Mr Glen said his Salisbury constituents were concerned about the scope of the operation.

It follows the news that Wiltshire Police will examine thousands of boxes of Sir Edward's personal archives.

Mr Glen said he understood the need to investigate such allegations, but his constituents were "understandably concerned about the additional costs and proportionality of such a significant undertaking".

He asked Mr Veale to give an update on the investigation, adding: "My constituents need to be assured that these enquiries will not be subject to an indefinite timeframe and ever-increasing costs."

And he said he was concerned Wiltshire Police "may be bearing a unreasonable share of the burden, simply because Sir Edward chose to live in Salisbury in his later years".

Mr Veale declined to comment, but a spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: "The chief constable has received the letter and will respond accordingly."

The Journal has already asked Wiltshire Police to reveal the cost of the investigation under the Freedom of Information Act, but the force refused to disclose the figures.