Police minister Tony McNulty has been invited to visit Sussex to discuss concerns over merging two police forces.

The Argus revealed last week that the cost of merging Sussex and Surrey police could lead to cuts equivalent to losing more than 500 front-line officers.

Sussex Police Authority agrees there is a need for change but remains unconvinced the force restructuring proposals are the best way forward.

Authority chairman Peter Jones has now invited Mr McNulty to discuss these concerns.

The Government expects start-up costs for IT, retirement and redundancy payments to come from forces' existing budgets, raising fears police officers and support staff will be shed to make ends meet.

Plans to develop neighbourhood policing would effectively be destroyed and officers could end up doing the jobs of support staff if the £27 million amalgamation goes ahead, a confidential paper prepared for the Association of Chief Police Officers revealed.

Mr Jones has advised the minister Sussex is "up for change" and accepts the need to improve protective services, including counter-terrorism, major cross-border crime and road policing.

But there are growing doubts as to whether Home Secretary Dr John Reid is giving high enough priority to restructuring.

Mr Jones said the debate was now at a crossroads and he and Chief Constable Joe Edwards were ready to meet Mr McNulty at short notice to explain the situation in Sussex.

Their letter to the minister asks whether the likely cost of £33.5 million for the proposed merger with Surrey will be taken from money otherwise available for improving policing.

It also highlights the fact Sussex council taxpayers face an 18 per cent increase to close the gap with Surrey and that any benefits could take many years to achieve.

Finally, the letter points out the lack of long-term funding. It states Sussex and Surrey are seriously underfunded and a national review was needed to ensure their long-term viability.