THE option of bringing Lancashire and Cumbria Constabularies together as part of the Home Secretary's drive to restructure police forces has emerged as the clear favourite in Lancashire.

An expert panel on protective services has looked at all the alternatives - and submitted the Lancashire / Cumbria merger option for further consideration. Feedback is expected in the next fortnight.

Acting Chief Constable Steve Finnigan says: "It was very clear from all of the analysis carried out so far that this is the favoured option for change."