The war of words between the two forces has intensified

Northumbria and Durham favour a merged "super force" with Cleveland. But Cleveland wants to be part of a smaller Tees Valley and south Durham service.

Cleveland Police Authority says it will try to block any three-way merger.

Now Durham's chief constable says Cleveland is attempting its own "take over" to perpetuate its existence.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke is backing the merger of Cleveland, Durham and Northumbria as part of a restructuring project which could see the number of UK police forces drop from 43 to just 12.

This DVD is a profligate attempt to lure some key stakeholders into supporting an idea which is simply not sustainable Durham's new chief constable John Stoddart

Durham and Northumbria say a three-way merger is "the only way forward" for policing in the region.

But Cleveland Police Authority members have warned they will refuse to co-operate with any merger plans.

Now the war of words has intensified over a DVD, which promotes a Tees Valley option, and was part paid for by the Cleveland force.

In a scathing attack on his force neighbours, John Stoddart, the new chief constable of Durham, said: "Cleveland Police is not really interested in the people of County Durham and Darlington and is only trying to take over south Durham to perpetuate its own existence."

'Innacurate comments'

The latest exchange in the row came after the release of the 12-minute DVD, which features a number of local MPs supporting the Tees Valley option.

Mr Stoddart added: "This DVD is a profligate attempt to lure some key stakeholders into supporting an idea which is simply not sustainable."

Dave McLuckie, chair of Cleveland Police Authority hit back: "This DVD was produced well before we submitted our proposal and before we received any comments from the Home Office review team.

"I suspect the reason that Mr Stoddart has decided to make these pretty silly and wildly inaccurate comments is because he realises that the case for the Tees Valley option has very strong support.