OLDER women are shying away from a career with one of the region's police forces.

Men are queueing up to join Durham Police, but recruiting experts are puzzled by the fall in the number of female applicants.

Mature women are proving particularly reluctant to forward applications and police believe some think - wrongly - that they are too old.

The strength of the Durham force has jumped from 1,350 officers five years ago to a record high of 1,600 last month. The rise in beat bobbies has been matched by an increase in the number of women officers, which stands at more than 300.

But less than 100 women have responded to a recruitment plea in August, which brought at total of nearly 500 applications.

Force recruiting officer Inspector Elaine Taylor, said that while the force was interested in talking to women and men aged above 18-and-a-half, it had taken positive steps to encourage candidates aged over 28 .

"Mature men have been quick to realise there is a future for them in policing," said Insp Taylor. "But it seems women in their late 20s or 30s are shying away for reasons that are not obvious."

Durham Police does not impose height or age restrictions and has relaxed eyesight requirements. Recruits no longer have to live at police headquarters during their first 15 weeks of training.

For further information, call Durham Police on 0191-386 4929, extension 2335.