North Yorkshire's dwindling band of special constables will put its grievances to the force's top brass next month in the hope of averting a mass walk-out.

Proposals due to be implemented in October would strip many specials of their rank, reducing the hierarchy - which currently mirrors that of the regulars - to only two levels; special constable and chief commandant.

A meeting in York yesterday decided on a last-ditch attempt to save the situation, but commandants said there was great unhappiness at proposals to make swingeing cuts to their ranks.

The specials will now make representations to assistant chief constable Paul Kernaghan and their own chief commandant, Jane Craggs, before any drastic action is taken.

"Morale is extremely low at the moment and we feel we are not being consulted by the force about decisions being made about the special constabulary," said one commandant.

"As it is, about 30 per cent of the constabulary has left in little over a year."Specials central area commandant Eric Hope said: "We have many career specials within our ranks and this will hit them hard - some of them have put in 20 years of service

"Many specials are leaving and the problem is compounded because we have not recruited for the last 15 months, although the Home Office has said more specials are needed.

If the specials turn in their badges it could have a disastrous effect on the force's ability to police the Millennium.

North Yorkshire Police already relies heavily upon specials to police events like race meetings and football matches.

Chief Constable David Kenworthy has frequently praised their work and paid tribute to the role they played during the recent floods. When he launched his policing plan for 1998/9 there were 336 special constables but that number has now fallen sharply to around 250.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "The Special Constabulary, like the rest of the force, is being examined to see if improvements to its efficiency can be made.

"And as with any other section of the force, we will make changes if it means the public will get a better level of service."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.