Cleveland Police oppose the three-force merger

Under the proposals the Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland forces would become one "super-force."

Durham and Northumbria police support the plan, but Cleveland wants a smaller merger with neighbouring Durham only.

Members of Cleveland Police Authority will meet Police Minister Tony McNulty on Wednesday to demand "concrete answers" about services.

Proper consultation

Last week lawyers acting for Cleveland Police Authority lodged an application for a judicial review at London's High Court into the move.

The Authority believes the Home Office did not carry out a proper consultation over the proposed merger.

It also believes one large force would not be locally accountable and the reorganisation would be expensive and result in too large an area to police effectively.

Cleveland Police Authority chairman Dave McLuckie said: "The evidence for the mergers-only case was always... flimsy but it is now it is virtually non-existent. We want concrete answers rather than warm words."