Plans emerged last night for a radical restructuring of the North's ambulance service, in the second major change in just three years.

The three separate services which cover the Yorkshire and North-East regions now want to merge to create two new super-authorities.

They have announced their intention to ask Health Secretary Alan Milburn to consult on the proposal.

It was only in 1999 that the Northumbria and Durham services joined forces to become the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS).

In the same year, the Cleveland, North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire services also joined forces, becoming the single Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service (TENYAS).

Now their respective boards, with that of the neighbouring West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service, want to merge again, creating two services from three.

Full details are still to be revealed, but it is expected to involve removing Cleveland from TENYAS and making it part of the North-East group.

That would leave the remaining North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire elements of TENYAS to merge with West Yorkshire, creating two services, which would also fit in with the proposed regional governments.

News of the proposal came as a surprise to union officials - but only because it was earlier than expected.

Ray McDermott, Unison secretary at NEAS, said: "If we have yet another set of terms and conditions, then as a union we would have to look at this really closely."

His TENYAS counterpart, Steve Forsyth, said: "Hopefully, it will be good news that will create jobs rather than lose them."

The North-East ambulance service chief executive, Simon Featherstone, said: "We wouldn't do it if we didn't think there was some merit in it."

Depending on Mr Milburn's response, a three-month consultation programme could start by September and the restructured services under way by early summer next year.