AN MP says he is trying hard to secure a future for a specialist North-East team which targets loan sharks.

The North East Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT), which employs eight staff in Middlesbrough, is being merged into a country-wide team, working from Birmingham.

The proposals, which will also see teams covering Scotland and Wales, have been described by the Government as bringing efficiency savings and even better results.

But there are fears smaller community lenders could slip under the radar as the newly merged teams target the so-called "Mr Bigs" of the illegal trade.

Tom Blenkinsop, Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Labour MP, said he had met with Labour colleagues to garner support for the North-East operation.

Today, Derek Twigg, MP for Halton, in Cheshire, secured a short debate in the House of Commons on the issue of loan sharks and Mr Blenkinsop said he had discussed the issue with him.

He added: "I have already spoken at length with Government Minister Ed Davey about this issue and I am trying hard to do whatever I can, along with Parliamentary colleagues, to secure a future for the North East Illegal Money Lending Team."