POLICE in County Durham will soon be using a digital radio system at the centre of health fears.

The force said the £3.26m Airwave network will give clearer communications, without dead spots, that cannot be intercepted by criminals with scanners.

It is part of a £2.5bn national system the government is introducing across the country.

Supporters of the system said it will improve safety for officers and enable them to be more effectively deployed, giving a better service to the public.

But there is concern among some officers about the possible effects on health from the system, which also includes mobiles telephones.

Inspector Brian Hills, the force's Airwave project manager said: "All research carried out by government or independent specialists has found no evidence that the system interferes with the health of users.''

The government has promised a monitoring scheme to see if the system does cause any problems for users.

Steve Smith, chairman of the Durham branch of the Police Federation, said officers were looking forward to having the old analogue network replaced by a clearer and more effective system.

But he said: "People still have doubts about the health impact. That will remain for a number of years. However, from the information we have got, the benefits outweigh the negative aspects.''

The system will be broadcast from 40 masts across the county. Officer training on the new system starts this month.

The first division to start using the new radios will be Chester-le-Street from the end of August.