THE threatened relocation of a forensic training school in the North-East would be a crushing blow to the region, councillors have claimed.

The Home Office recently contacted Durham Police to discuss the possibility of taking Britain's top forensic training school, Harperley Hall, out of County Durham and relocating it to the Midlands or London.

The suggestion has come less than a year after a report issued by the Government's Inspectorate of Constabulary called for the creation of a national centre of excellence for scientific support staff on a single site, and governed by one body.

The report also praised the County Durham institution, saying Britain's police forces owed a debt of gratitude to the Durham force for filling gaps in forensic training with Harperley Hall.

No decision has yet been reached, but there is a feeling that such a move would be a huge loss to the region.

Durham county councillor Bob Pendlebury said he would raise the issue with North West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong when she returned from holiday.

He said: "I would think any proposal to move such a facility, which is recognised nationally, would not be good for County Durham or the region.

"We have too few centres of excellence in the region, and this is one which is nationally recognised. It's extremely important.

"In addition to that, there's less employment for people who provide facilities at Harperley Hall."

Wear Valley district councillor Eddie Tomlinson said: "The centre attracts students from all over the world and has been at the forefront of forensic technology.

"I don't know how that money goes back into the local economy, but it would be a loss of something prestigious if it goes."