17,000 application's for North's new police force

Requests for information about Northern Ireland's new police force have now passed the 17,000 mark.

Police Authority vice-chairman Professor Herb Wallace stressed the urgent need for a further £20m in British Government cash to offset critical under-funding, but expressed confidence that requirements for 50-50 Catholic and Protestant representation among new recruits to the force would be met.

Professor Wallace was speaking as the Authority today set out its final blueprint for policing priorities over the next 12 months.

The independent oversight body is due to be replaced by the Policing Board to scrutinise the new Police Service of Northern Ireland.

A recruitment drive for the force, which is to succeed the RUC, is already under way in a bid to secure equal numbers from the province's two communities.

The latest figures disclosed by Professor Wallace demonstrated the massive response to the advertising campaign.