POLICE chiefs in Lancashire could volunteer for a merger with Cumbira to guarantee millions of pounds in Government help.

Lancashire Police Authority met yesterday to discuss Home Office plans to merge the force with neighbouring Cumbria, as part of a national shake-up.

Previously, the authority, the body which controls funding for the force, has refused to give official support to the merger unless key questions over how the move will be funded are answered. Local politicians have also criticised such a move.

But Home Secretary Charles Clarke has announced the merger will go ahead with or without the backing of the force and the authority.

And at yesterday's meeting it was revealed that if Lancashire and Cumbria volunteered, they could receive help to cover the estimated £19million start up cost.

County Coun Malcolm Doherty, chair of the authority, said: "He is giving us a choice of volunteering and a decent deal financially. The Home Office is desperate for us to volunteer and that's a tool we can use. It's looking like they're not going to get many volunteers.

"They want this to happen and because they want it to happen we should be able to get a reasonable deal out of it."

So far there has been no firm suggestion that the authority, which is still locked in three-way discussions with Cumbria police and the Home Office, will volunteer.

Lancashire's authority has met with the Home Office on several occasions to raise concerns over the logistics of such a merger, which will go ahead by 2008, and the finances including council tax levels.

A final meeting will take place on the deadline date of February 24.