A LEADING Wyre Forest county councillor is urging everyone in the district to say a resounding "no" to any suggestion that West Mercia Constabulary is merged with the West Midlands force.

Liberal, Mike Oborski, warned that such a move would leave West Mercia "buried and forgotten" among the huge demands of policing Birmingham and the Black Country.

His comments followed the announcement by Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, of a review, which could see some of the 43 police forces in England and Wales being merged.

Mr Oborski said initial claims that a merger with West Midlands or Warwickshire had been proposed were inaccurate but added he had been told by various sources - including the police - that a merger with "someone" was on the cards.

As it appeared nothing had been ruled out, he said Wyre Forest and Worcestershire as a whole should shout loud and clear that a merger with West Midlands should not even be contemplated.

"Of course we need a modern and effective police force and if it turns out that we need bigger units then there may be sense in a merger with Warwickshire but the concept of merging with the West Midlands is totally unacceptable," said Mr Oborski.

He added: "We are a semi-rural, semi-urban area with our own issues and needs but we are similar to Warwickshire. If we were merged with West Midlands we would be absolutely submerged and on the fringe. Such a move would be unacceptable and deplorable.

"Things are not perfect here but West Mercia has made huge strides and is all set to be a pilot scheme on neighbourhood policing with the Home Office."