CONSULTATION with the public about the future of West Mercia Constabulary will continue as planned until the end of the month, the chairman of the force's police authority board, Paul Deneen, has pledged.

The announcement came after the Worcester News exclusively revealed on Friday how Home Secretary Charles Clarke sounded the death knell for West Mercia Constabulary when he told chief constable Paul West that a stand-alone force was not an option.

Paul Deneen, chairman of West Mercia Police Authority, said: "The Police Authority believes it is important to understand clearly what the people served by West Mercia want for the future of local policing."

Two options for the future shape of policing in West Mercia have been put forward. One is a two-force option that would result in a merger between Staffordshire and West Mercia.

The other is a new amalgamated force made up of the four police forces in the West Midlands government region: West Mercia, West Midlands, Staffordshire and Warwickshire.

Last week the region's forces, and their police authorities, received feedback from the Home Office on their initial restructuring proposals.

Mr Deneen added: "We continue to keep an open mind about which of the two options put forward to the Home Office last month will be the best for our communities."

"We have studied the advice from the Home Office carefully and believe it is important to continue the consultation process we began earlier this month.

"This means we will continue to evaluate the potential cost and benefits of both a regional force and an enhanced West Mercia Strategic Police Service.

"The Home Office's suggested option of a merger with Staffordshire Police is also available for people to comment on through our web site at www. westmerciapoliceauthority.gov .uk - although this was not one of the preferred options that the force or authority put forward."