The News and Star report:
Seventeen civilian police workers were on long-term sick leave in April, costing the force nearly £70,000, figures have revealed.
The statistics, released in response to a freedom of information request, show that the workers involved have collectively racked up 1,264 days of long-term sick leave.
But officials at Cumbria Constabulary point out that sickness rates among civilian staff are currently below the national average for public sector workers.