FOREST mayors will hold a showdown meeting with police commissioner Martin Surl.

Mayors from all four towns will seek assurances that he will be keeping his election pledge to maintain a police station in the Dean.

But it could eventually lead to Cinderford and Coleford battling it out to host the main police hub for the Forest.

Coleford mayor Sue Merrikin arranged the meeting amidst widespread fears the commissioner could be back pedaling.

Amongst other things she wants to know exactly why he needs to carry out a public consultation exercise before forging ahead with plans for the hub and how much it is will cost.

The mayor will also be seeking assurances that the main Forest station will remain in Coleford.

Despite several requests, Mr Surl has yet to meet with Coleford Town Council.

Mrs Merrikin added: "I am concerned about the costs of the survey and if he wants the views of the community, why Coleford Town Council has not been asked for feedback."

Mr Surl, Gloucestershire's first elected police commissioner, insists the consultation exercise does not mean he is going back on his manifesto promise to keep a police station in the Dean.

"Let me reassure you this is not the case," he said in a letter to Cinderford mayor Max Coborn.

For more on this story, read this week's edition of The Forester.