Mergers will not go ahead before the Parliamentary summer recess

He said the plans would not go ahead before the summer recess on 25 July.

The plans would see the merger of West Midlands police with West Mercia, Warwickshire and Staffordshire police to create a regional constabulary.

The West Mercia Police Authority has opposed the merger, the other three forces welcomed the announcement.

The chairman of West Mercia Police Authority, Paul Deneen, raised fears that a merged force could result in the loss of 2,000 jobs.

'Concerns addressed'

The authority predicts the government's promise council taxpayers would not have to pay more for a merged force would leave a shortfall of �220m.

Mr Reid told MPs he still thought the mergers across the country were "the right way" forward but promised further discussions before laying any orders to enforce them.

Mr Deneen said the announcement showed the "impracticality" of the merger timetable and was the first acknowledgement from the Home Secretary that problems of carrying out the plans remain unresolved.

"It shows that the new home secretary and his ministers are willing to listen to find appropriate solutions to the issues of policing into the 21st Century," he said.

"This is a significant step forward and one which I welcome."

A joint statement by the chief constables and police authority chairs for the Staffordshire, Warwickshire and West Midlands forces welcomed the announcement.

Diana Holl-Allen, chair of West Midlands Police Authority, said: "We are pleased the home secretary has acknowledged the need to ensure that the concerns of authorities and forces on a range of issues, including cost, council tax and local accountability, still need to be addressed."