A SENIOR police chief yesterday strongly denied reports that a controversial new radio system was leading to serious health complaints among officers.

Forces in the region have long been under pressure to reconsider the use of the Airwave digital handsets, amid claims that officers' health is suffering.

National reports suggested that 20 officers in North Yorkshire were off sick because of migraines and other problems associated with the Tetra system.

But the force's deputy chief constable, Peter Walker, insisted that nobody had taken sick leave and the system was considered the best communications option.

However, he conceded that there was no evidence to indicate that the handsets were completely safe.

"Twenty officers from about 1,400 who use it every day have expressed health concerns about the Tetra radios," he said. "There is no scientific evidence to confirm that the radios pose a health risk, but unfortunately there is no conclusive proof that they are completely safe."

Officers are said to be worried that radiation from the handsets is causing head-aches, skin problems, sleeplessness and concentration problems.

More than 170 officers from Lancashire Police are also said to be concerned by the potential side-effects.