LANCASHIRE police will merge with Cumbria by 2008, despite fears over funding and rising council tax.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke announced the move yesterday, despite neither county officially backing the move.

Both counties' police authorities have refused to give official support to the merger unless key questions over how £19million start up costs and future council tax levels were answered.

Mr Clarke has not yet addressed those concerns but he has made it clear the merger will take place.

He told members of the Lancashire Police Authority that if they do not voluntarily decide by February 24 he will begin moves to force through the plans on March 1.

Forces which voluntarily agree to merge will do so in 2007. Those which don't will have to wait another year.

Mr Clarke is creating larger forces nationwide in a bid to make the police more effective in tackling terrorism and serious crime. He said an expert assessment had found that only a merged Lancashire and Cumbria force could achieve this.

But there are fears that council tax will rise in Lancashire to pay for the move and that officers will be transferred hundreds of miles to deal with demand.

Malcolm Doherty, chair of the Lancashire Police Authority, said Mr Clarke had told him during a meeting yesterday that he would give answers over the concerns in the next few days. He added: "We made it clear to him that we could not back the move until we got the assurances and he was in a very positive mood.

"We still have concerns because we haven't got detailed assurances and we want to do the best for the people of Lancashire.

"But we are getting closer now."

However, Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said he was "far from convinced that the merger would be the best thing for Lancashire."

He added: "I shall obviously examine these proposals and speak to Charles about them.

According to the last performance indicated, Lancashire Police was the best in England and Wales so I don't see how a merger will improve things."