A TOY manufacturer is to produce miniature versions of Triumph patrol cars used by a North-East police force in the 1970s.

Produced as part of Corgi's Vanguards range of classic cars, the 1:43 scale model of the Triumph 2.5Pi - which is still under wraps - will not be released to stockists until next June.

The toy car, which bears the Cleveland Police force badge, is going before a special invitation only preview next month, at Corgi's headquarters, in Leicester.

A Corgi spokeswoman said: "It's really hot off the press and still top secret. It has not been announced to the trade yet. It will be available from June.

"It's going to be previewed in October, a closed-door event. It's basically going to be unveiled in June and there will be no details available and nothing said until then.''

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "We are very pleased and very proud that it will become a prized collectors' model.

"At the time, these Triumph cars were the cutting edge when used by our road policing unit.

"They may be old and dated, but the road policing unit today is still at the cutting edge.''

It is thought inspiration for the new Corgi car came from a photograph provided by police community support officer Frank Davies, whose life-long fascination with old vehicles resulted in him setting up a dedicated website three years ago.

He said: "Many patrol cars and vans that were seen as cutting edge when they were first introduced have no comparison to their modern day equivalents. The equipment carried by officers on duty has also changed beyond recognition.''