A Police force has won national recognition for its work to recruit and retain officers from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Yesterday's good news for the Northumbria force comes in the wake of accusations of racism levelled against senior police officers at an industrial tribunal by three Asian police officers.

The organisation was shortlisted in three categories at the eighth annual British Diversity Awards for Diversity Innovation, Raising Awareness and Diversity in Employment.

Assistant Chief Constable David Warcup said: "It was a real achievement to be in the running for these awards and highlights our good practice in this area.

"We are doing a lot of work to recruit officers from ethnic minority backgrounds but then if they do leave, we are looking closely at the reasons why."

The service received particular praise for its recruit and probationer mentoring scheme, developed by PC Harninder Singh Bola, of the race equality section, and supported by recruiting Sergeant Dave Gregory.

Under the initiative, minority ethnic applicants are offered one-to-one contact with a mentor, who will provide support and advice during their decision on whether to apply. If the application is successful, the mentor provides support during the recruitment process and the two years' probation.

This year, 24 minority ethnic applicants have taken advantage of the scheme, and so far 11 have gone on to become recruits. There are 49 officers from minority ethnic backgrounds in the force.

Pinder Singh, a sergeant with Northumbria Police for four years, is one of three officers taking their employers to an employment tribunal.

He claims he was the victim of racism when he applied to join Northumbria's special investigations unit. The case may not be concluded until next summer.

A spokesman, who declined to comment on the cases, said: "We take matters of discrimation seriously, and thoroughly investigate any complaints brought to our attention."