POLICE will spend years wearing out-of-date uniforms and driving cars with out-of-date badges when the Lancashire force merges with Cumbria, it was revealed today.

Officer representatives and MPs today attacked the decision, claiming it would prevent bobbies and other staff from feeling valued and a part of the new force.

But, despite being promised £14million in extra Government cash for agreeing to join with its neighbours, force bosses have said they can't afford the £5.5million costs of new uniforms straight away.

Lancashire and Cumbria last week became the only police authorities in the country to vote in favour of Government merger plans, aimed at tackling organised crime and terrorism.

The new force is expected to be launched next April but the estimated start-up costs of £20million will be paid for over four years and only "limited" re-badging of cars and uniforms has been included in the cash.

A uniform costs £1,187 for a man and £1,192.51 for a woman and the force would have around 4,700 officers.

Steve Edwards, chairman of the Lancashire Police Federation, said: "I think is very important. I think we do need a new identity.

"I think people need to feel they belong to a new force, although I do understand the problems about the finances and logistics of doing that.

"But we wouldn't want to be in Lancashire cars and uniforms in 2008."

"People need to know what force they belong to and they won't belong to Lancashire Constabulary anymore. "

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said: "I am opposed to the merger as I don't think it would give the best service to my constituents. If we are to have the merger we need to badge up the new CALPOL (Cumbria and Lancashire Police), as it will undoubtedly be known, as soon as possible.

"One of the things the police force needs to be effective is high morale and it is hard to have that if officers don't feel they really belong to the new force."

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: "A five year delay on new uniforms is a smokescreen to hide the millions of pounds of extra cash that will have to be found to pay for the merger."

The new force's governing body will not be appointed until this June but Malcolm Doherty, chairman of the Lancashire Police Authority, said: "The priorities are to get the two forces merged .

"We will introduce the new uniforms as we go along. There maybe some done in the early stages but we don't see re-badging as a big issue."

However not all MPs were against the decision.

Blackburn MP Jack Straw said: "I think this is sensible. The merger is about getting a new headquarters and better specialist services, not about removing local identities."

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice also said it was "sensible" and added: "It is a new constabulary but we don't need to replace uniforms until they're worn out."