THE foot-and-mouth crisis has delayed the introduction of Durham Police's new high-tech communication system.

Restrictions on movement in the countryside - imposed in many parts of the county - have meant that BT engineers cannot get to places to assess where 52 new radio masts should be sited.

The new system, called Airwave, was due to come on air in the spring but the launch has been put back to next December at the earliest.

Insp Brian Hills, Airwaves project manager, said: "While we are naturally very disappointed, the delays are producing some positive benefits.

"Not least is that the companies bidding to provide radios will have their very latest models available for trial later next year.''

The new microwave system, claimed to be the most advanced in the world, will give officers links to other forces, double as a mobile phone, enable officers to send text messages and could ultimately tap into intelligence and other computer networks.

The new network will cost an estimated £2.26m