A GWENT MP is urging our police authority to launch a legal challenge against Charles Clarke's controversial merger plans.

The call came after Cleveland Police Authority announced it was seeking a judicial review of the government's decision to create a single North East force in England.

If the test case succeeds, it could impact on the home secretary's unpopular move to scrap Gwent Police and create a single all-Wales force - something the Argus is campaigning against.

Monmouth MP and AM David Davies said the judicial review was as an excellent idea.

"I wish them (Cleveland) all the best and clearly if they succeed it may throw the whole plan into disarray, which is what we want, and I hope this is something that Gwent Police will also consider," said Mr Davies.

He said judicial reviews were lengthy, expensive and difficult to win, but said it was important to test the legality of the process leading up to Mr Clarke's decision.

Newport West MP Paul Flynn backed Cleveland's fight to retain its stand-alone status.

He said: "I think it's a good step to take because the plans have come out of the blue without proper consideration."

Mr Flynn said any judgement from the judicial review would automatically apply to plans to amalgamate other forces across the UK.

The government claims a single Welsh force would be more effective in fighting terrorism, people trafficking and drugs, but Mr Flynn said "the opposite is true", with statistics showing the biggest forces were those most affected by serious, organised crime.

The chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, Dave McLuckie said the Home Office had failed to address basic questions about costs and staff.

A Home Office spokesman said forces had until July 2 to submit objections and it was "premature" for Cleveland Police Authority to act.