Campaigners have been told the sacking of Home Secretary Charles Clarke is unlikely to bring a halt to the merger of Sussex and Surrey police.

John Reid, Mr Clarke's successor, is reviewing all aspects of his job, including merger plans.

Peter Jones, chairman of the Sussex Police Authority, said: "The arrival of John Reid at the Home Office gives opportunity for serious reconsideration and we urge him to listen to professionals, Parliament and the public and rethink plans to force forces in England and Wales to merge."

But a Home Office spokesman told The Argus: "The Government remains committed to police force mergers."

Sussex and Surrey are one of several planned mergers, most of which are being opposed by local politicians and police. Nine MPs, all Tories, are calling for a Commons vote. They say the merger will cost Sussex taxpayers an extra £19 a year.

Nick Herbert, Conservative MP for Arundel and South Downs, has tabled a Parliamentary motion calling for a referendum before any merger goes ahead.

The motion has been signed by MPs Charles Hendry (Wealden), Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex), Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne), Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham), Gregory Barker (Bexhill and Battle), Nick Gibb (Bognor and Littlehampton), Peter Bottomley (West Worthing) and Francis Maude (Horsham).

They claim, once resources are pooled, the higher police charges currently borne by Surrey taxpayers will be shared, pushing up precepts in Sussex.

The Home Office denied the merger would push up Sussex tax bills, saying there would be no increase in council tax precepts due to restructuring.