THE police force serving Wyre Forest looks to have won its battle against the Government over controversial regional merger plans.

Bosses of West Mercia Constabulary have been fighting Home Office proposals to amalgamate it with the neighbouring forces of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and West Midlands since last year.

Policing minister, Tony McNulty, announced the Government's U-turn on the issue last week, putting an end to months of speculation regarding West Mercia's future.

Mr McNulty said "the definitive answer" to whether there would be mergers "is no" and added forced mergers would only be used as a "last resort".

West Mercia Police Authority chairman, Paul Deneen, welcomed the news and said it was committed to the view of "evolution rather than revolution" when it came to changing policing.

He explained: "West Mercia Constabulary is a top performing force and our commitment to creating a strategic police service for the force area reflects the views of local communities.

"West Mercia Police Authority understand the importance of ensuring that the policing service we provide to residents is effective in dealing with the challenges of the 21st century."

Mr Deneen added an extra £2.9 million, at no cost to the taxpayer, would be pumped into the force by April, 2008 to deal with issues like major incidents, organised crime and terrorism.

At Prime Minister's Questions last Wednesday, Tony Blair stopped short of totally ruling out any further merger plans but admitted it was not "sensible" to force any amalgamation.

West Mercia Chief Constable, Paul West, thanked Mr McNulty and Home Secretary, John Reid, for listening and taking their views on board.

He added: "Not only is this good news for policing in the area and for our communities but it is also good news for local democracy."

The news was greeted with joy across Wyre Forest's political spectrum.

A petition supported by almost 3,000 people across the district opposing the move was handed into the Government earlier this year.