POLICE chiefs last night confirmed they had launched an inquiry into claims that a constable used a police Land Rover to move home.

Durham's Professional Standards Department is conducting the investigation.

It has been claimed that the officer, who has not named but is based at Barnard Castle, was seen using the marked Land Rover at the weekend to move household items from the town to the Teesdale village of Cotherstone. Although the PC in question has not been suspended, police chiefs are treating the claims very seriously.

A spokesman for Durham Police said last night: "I can confirm an internal inquiry is under way into the potential misuse of police transport, although no officer has been suspended.

"The inquiry is in its infancy and for that reason we cannot say anything more at this stage."

Rumours that the PC used the Land Rover's blue flashing lights because he was in a hurry were described as "hearsay".

The investigation follows a complaint by a member of the public.

Last year, two PCs based at Barnard Castle had to resign following a six-month internal disciplinary investigation into allegations that they had sex with a sixth-form schoolgirl in the back of their van after picking her up as she walked home in the early hours of New Year's Day.