The Liberal Democrats have raised concerns over a new report just published, that shows there has been more than 500,000 requests to access phone and e-mail records by authorities in 2008.

The report by the Interception of Communications Commissioner revealed local councils and police, as well as other authorities, made on average 1,500 requests per day.

Sir Paul Kennedy published the figures in the annual report, and it found that 504,073 requests for communication data were made last year - nearly 10,000 every week.

However, although it was down only slightly from last year, there was a 44% rise in requests on two years ago.

Each request allows public authorities access to communications data, which includes records of phone, email and text messages, however it does not include their content.

Lib Dem Home Affairs Spokesman Chris Huhme said the report was worrying, adding that the figures "beggared belief" as to why so much surveillance was necessary.

He said: "Many of these operations carried out by the police and security services are necessary, but the sheer numbers are daunting.

"It cannot be a justified response to the problems we face in this country that the state is spying on half a million people a year."

He added: "We have sleepwalked into a surveillance state, but without adequate safeguards.

"The government forgets that George Orwell's 1984 was a warning and not a blueprint."

A Home Office spokesman said: "Of course it's vital that we strike the right balance between individual privacy and collective security and that is why the Home Office is clear these powers should only be used when they are proportionate."

(JM/BMcc)