The police guard for the 70-day Olympic torch relay will be offered psychological counselling to help them "reintegrate" after the event.

Some 28 unarmed Metropolitan Police officers will guard the Olympic flame as it journeys around the UK in 2012.

A spokesman said they were "mindful" the officers would be away from home and said staff welfare was paramount.

But critics said the "barking mad" offer of counselling was a waste of resources.